South Korean Activists Protest Against Fukushima Water Discharge

SEOUL (Reuters) – Lots of of South Korean activists gathered in central Seoul on Saturday to protest towards Japan’s plan to launch handled radioactive water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear energy plant into the ocean.

Japan’s Asahi Shimbun day by day reported earlier this week that the nation plans to start out releasing the water into the ocean as early as late August, citing unidentified authorities sources.

“Whether it is discarded, radioactive substances contained within the contaminated water will finally destroy the marine ecosystem,” stated Choi Kyoungsook of Korea Radiation Watch, an activist group that organised the protest.

“We’re opposed… as a result of we imagine the ocean is not only for the Japanese authorities, however for all of us and for mankind.”

Lots of of protesters held up indicators saying “Maintain It Inland” and “Defend the Pacific Ocean!” whereas singing songs and listening to rally organisers.

Japan’s nuclear regulator final month granted approval for plant operator Tokyo Electrical Energy to start out releasing the water, which Japan and the Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company stated is protected however close by international locations worry could contaminate meals.

U.S. President Joe Biden will meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a trilateral summit on Aug. 18.

“There’s discuss that the dumping of contaminated water is on the summit agenda. The governments of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan ought to view it an environmental catastrophe, moderately than a political subject, and agree to dam it… for future generations,” Choi stated.

(Reporting by Do Gyun Kim and Minwoo Park; Writing by Joyce Lee; Modifying by Raju Gopalakrishnan)

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