Han Deok-su: "Non-disclosure of Contaminated Water National Report Decided by Chairman Appointed by Moon Administration"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated on the 8th that the decision to keep the joint research report by national research institutes on the response to the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan confidential was made by Jeong Hae-gu, the chairman of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP), who was appointed during the Moon Jae-in administration.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is responding to lawmakers' questions during the Education, Social, and Cultural Government Questioning session held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

During a government questioning session on education, social, and cultural affairs at the National Assembly that day, Prime Minister Han responded to a question from Im Oh-kyung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who asked, "Was it because the analysis suggested that the discharge of contaminated water could threaten the marine ecosystem and pose risks to public health and safety that they wanted to hide it?"

Prime Minister Han rebutted, saying, "Is Chairman Jeong the kind of person who would listen to the government saying 'Please do not disclose this'?" and added, "That is an insult to Chairman Jeong."

Im then referred to the "black rain" that occurred after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, pointing out, "The Japanese government has acknowledged internal radiation exposure from just being exposed to black rain, drinking water mixed with black rain, or consuming plants contaminated by black rain." In response, Prime Minister Han said, "Comparing the scientifically treated discharge of contaminated water now to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima is fake news and incitement."

When Im asked about President Yoon Suk-yeol's plan to invite Korean residents affected by the Hiroshima atomic bombing to Korea, questioning, "Is this an attempt to persuade them that the discharge of contaminated water is not a problem?" Prime Minister Han replied, "It is to have them visit the Republic of Korea with a heart seeking forgiveness for not being able to warmly support them."