What Are Koreans’ Perspectives Over Wastewater Release from Fukushima, Japan?

Current Situation on Waterwaste from Japan

Japan started releasing more than a million tonnes of tainted water into the Pacific Ocean from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power facility.

Reactions from China, the U.S., and Pacific Islands

China announced a blanket ban on all imports of seafood from Japan.

The U.S. State Department issued an official statement in support of the Japanese government, saying it was “satisfied with Japan’s tainted water release process, which is safe and transparent.”

Pacific island nations have had mixed reactions to Japan’s tainted water discharges. Palau, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Cook Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia have publicly supported Japan on the discharge of waste water.

Vanuatu and Tuvalu, on the other hand, oppose the discharge of tainted water. However, even in Fiji and New Zealand, where the governments have expressed support for Japan, environmental organizations have protested against the discharge.

Some Concerns Over Political Ties Between the Nations

In addition to irritating neighboring nations and raising concerns among fishermen, the release, which is anticipated to take 30 to 40 years, also threatens to harm relations between Japan and South Korea in a trilateral effort led by the US to challenge North Korea, China, and Russia.

South Korea’s Stance

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea will maintain his neutrality, but the opposition party’s (left wing party) goal is to make things as tough as possible.

See How South Koreans Are Reacting Online

1. Japan’s dumping will not stop other countries from dumping nuclear contaminated water. Contaminated seas cannot be reversed immediately. There is no technology to completely filter nuclear contaminated water. No one can say for sure what the consequences will be for future generations.

2. There will be no damage. It’s not contaminated water, it’s treated water.

3. It will make me feel bad when I eat seafood.

4. Sales at the Noryangjin Fish Market dropped 50% in one day. I feel sorry for the fishermen.

5. It takes 30-40 years to discharge. It must affect our bodies. The number of deformed children is likely to increase.

6. 30+ years is a long time, so it will accumulate for a long time and cause problems anyway, so I don’t mind. I’m worried about whether I should let my child eat fish in the future.

7. The fact is that Korea already discharges twice as much treated water with the same concentration of contaminated water as Japan will discharge this time in a year, and France discharges 454 times as much every year.