South Korean activists take part in a protest against Japan’s plan to dump treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean in central Seoul, South Korea, August 12, 2023. Photo by Reuters /Kim Hong-Ji
Hundreds of South Korean activists gathered in central Seoul on Saturday to protest Japan’s plan to dump treated radioactive water from the tsunami-destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean.
from Japan Asahi Shimbun Daily reported earlier this week that the country plans to start discharging water into the ocean as soon as late August, citing unidentified government sources.
“If released, the radioactive substances in the contaminated water will eventually destroy the marine ecosystem,” said Choi Kyoungsook of Korea Radiation Watch, an activist group that organized the protest.
“We are opposed…because we believe that the sea is not just for the Japanese government, but for all of us and for humanity.”
Hundreds of protesters held up signs saying “Keep It Inland” and “Protect the Pacific Ocean!” while singing songs and listening to the rally organizers.
Japan’s nuclear regulator last month allowed plant operator Tokyo Electric Power to start releasing the water, which Japan and the International Atomic Energy Agency have said is safe, but neighboring countries fear to contaminate food.
US President Joe Biden will meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a trilateral summit on August 18.
“There are rumors that the dumping of contaminated water is on the agenda of the summit. The governments of South Korea, the United States and Japan should view this as an environmental disaster, rather than a political issue, and agree to block it…for future generations,” Choi said.
