SEOUL, Aug. 24 (Yonhap) — South Korea must reluctantly accept Japan’s choice to let out contaminated liquid from its damaged Fukushima nuclear facility into the ocean “as a responsible member of the global community,” Seoul’s oceans minister declared Thursday.
Japan started releasing “treated” radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea Thursday despite opposition from its fishing population and neighboring countries.
“It is regrettable,” Oceans Minister Cho Seung-hwan said during a parliamentary session in the day when asked about how he felt about Japan’s contentious action as the head of the country’s maritime affairs.
“As a responsible member of the international community, South Korea cannot help but agree to the move,” he said, adding that it would be an “inevitable decision” for Japan.
Cho, however, highlighted that the discharge will not cause any direct harm to the South Korean fishing industry, although it could be affected by reduced consumption due to rumors and other factors.
“The government allocated some 300 billion won (US$227.05 million) to compensate fishermen, which includes funds for the government’s purchase of marine products and for measures to stimulate consumption. We will raise the amount by around 200 billion won next year,” Cho told lawmakers.
Any direct consequences of the discharge on South Korea will be addressed through proper international procedures with Japan, the minister said, as some legislators and critics have called on the Seoul government to demand compensation from Japan.
This photo taken Aug. 24, 2023, shows a performance by a South Korean civic group against Japan's release of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. (Yonhap)
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