As high temperatures persist, algae alerts have been issued in several areas along the Nakdong River even in September, prompting civic groups and political parties in the Gyeongnam region to call for the declaration of a 'Nakdong River Algae Disaster.'
Eighteen organizations, including the Nakdong River Network, the Gyeongnam branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the Changwon Water and Life Citizens' Coalition, and the Gyeongnam branch of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a press conference at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Press Center on the 10th, stating, "In the name of the residents, we declare the Nakdong River algae disaster."
Civil society organizations and political parties in Gyeongnam, including Nakdonggang Network, are holding a press conference to declare a green algae disaster in the Nakdong River. Photo by Lee Seryoung
They said, "On the 2nd, the Ministry of Environment issued an algae alert at the Busan Hwamyeong waterfront area, which is part of the algae alert system," adding, "The alert level, which bans fishing, water skiing, swimming, and the harvesting and consumption of shellfish, is effectively a prohibition on entry."
They argued, "Despite this disastrous situation, there is not even monitoring in the Nakdong River waterfront areas in the Gyeongnam region."
According to the groups, as of August 16, the number of harmful cyanobacteria exceeded the alert level in most Nakdong River waterfront areas, including Chilseo Namji, Hamanbo, Changwon Bonpo, and Gimhae Daedong.
The organizations emphasized, "Inhaling or ingesting algal toxins can cause dementia, liver cancer, neurotoxicity, and reproductive disorders," stressing, "Only by breaking the cycle of rampant algae in the Nakdong River can we ensure the safety of our children."
They also said, "This is the largest and worst occurrence of algae ever recorded," and demanded, "The National Assembly must thoroughly investigate the Ministry of Environment's Nakdong River algae response policies over the past 12 years, identify the problems, and present fundamental solutions to the algae issue."
Citizens' groups and political parties in Gyeongnam, including Nakdonggang Network, are holding PET bottles containing green algae to send to the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul. Photo by Lee Seryeong
After the press conference, they visited the post office inside the provincial government building to send a plastic bottle containing Nakdong River algae water to the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, and delivered some to the open Gyeongnam Governor's Office in the same building.
They also plan to conduct a signature campaign demanding a National Assembly hearing for algae countermeasures by the end of this month.
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