"Nuclear Contaminated Water Dumping, Deception to the Entire World"
"Japanese Government and Citizens Must Immediately Stop Ocean Dumping Even Now"
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, launched a fierce attack on the 4th, saying, "Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated water is a deception against the entire world and an irreversible crime against humanity." Criticizing the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's governance, including its response to the contaminated water discharge, he has begun an indefinite hunger strike and appears to be continuing the offensive against the dumping of contaminated water in solidarity with Japan's neighboring countries.
In his opening remarks at the 'Democratic Party-Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Contaminated Water Marine Dumping Suspension International Joint Meeting' held at the National Assembly main building that day, Lee said, "Japan was the leading opponent of Russia's radioactive waste dumping 30 years ago and ultimately stopped it," adding, "Despite fierce opposition from neighboring countries and even its own citizens, the Japanese government is committing an unprecedented act in human history by dumping nuclear-contaminated water into the sea."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a keynote speech at the International Joint Conference to Stop the Ocean Dumping of Fukushima Nuclear Wastewater held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 4th. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Lee emphasized, "As the first party in the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, the Democratic Party has strived to protect the lives and safety of the people and to safeguard world peace and the environment," adding, "Unfortunately, the Korean government and ruling party have effectively acquiesced to Japan's nuclear-contaminated water discharge. As the leader of the main opposition party, I clearly express opposition on behalf of the people's will." He further asserted, "Japan should immediately stop the marine dumping of nuclear-contaminated water, and our government should rightfully file a lawsuit against Japan at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea."
Attending the meeting were Lee Yong-seon, Democratic Party secretary of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee; Woo Won-shik, standing chairman of the General Countermeasures Committee to Stop Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Contaminated Water Marine Dumping; and Nam Ki-jung, professor at Seoul National University’s Japan Research Institute. Overseas experts such as Joseph Buckson, co-representative of the Washington Society for Social Responsibility; Jang Moo-hwi, professor at Sungkyunkwan University East Asia Institute; and Matsukubo Hajime, secretary-general of the Japan Atomic Energy Information Office, participated via video conference.
Lee pointed out, "While Japan defends the discharge of contaminated water, the country that reduced imports of Japanese agricultural and marine products the most compared to the previous year until June was the United States," adding, "China and Hong Kong, the largest importers of Japanese seafood, have declared a complete import ban."
He continued, "I am convinced that this barbaric marine dumping of nuclear-contaminated water, whether it lasts 30 years, 100 years, or 300 years, will inevitably be stopped at some point," warning, "The longer the marine dumping continues, the more nuclear-contaminated water will accumulate, and after 10 or 20 years, the world will recognize how barbaric Japan’s actions are."
He also argued, "According to Japan’s own claims, a staggering 1.37 million tons of contaminated water will be dumped into the ocean over 30 years," adding, "Since the amount is likely to increase far beyond the plan, stopping the dumping early could significantly reduce damage to the sea." Lee added, "When the international community unites in strength and will, we can protect our shared oceans."
Furthermore, he urged, "The Japanese people themselves will soon face a situation where they can no longer bear the global criticism for dumping harmful nuclear waste they created into the world’s oceans instead of treating it domestically due to cost concerns," and appealed, "Before such a situation arises, I hope the Japanese government and people change their stance and immediately halt marine dumping."
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