``Trust the government, believe in science.'' Will the Korean Prime Minister's message reach the people? = Concerns about the release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant

From the 24th of this month, confusion is occurring in South Korea as the discharge of treated water from the Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean began. In Seoul, some protests by civic groups and others became radical, and on the same day, Japan
Police detained 16 university students who tried to break into the embassy. In the seafood market, there are some shops that emphasize “made in Korea” loudly, fearing the impact on sales. Prime Minister Han Duk Soo delivered a statement
He has announced this and called on the public to take a calm approach, but there is no sign that the confusion will subside. On the 4th of last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a comprehensive report on its release plan. "Japan's response to emissions
Our efforts are in line with international safety standards." The South Korean government also announced its own verification results, stating that the release plan "confirmed that it meets international standards such as the IAEA."
showed understanding. At the Japan-South Korea summit meeting held in Lithuania on the 12th of last month (local time), Prime Minister Fumio Kishida once again explained the release plan to President Yoon Seo-gyul. safety
I have taken all possible measures to ensure that it will not adversely affect health and the environment. He also explained that if the concentration of radioactive substances in the treated water exceeds the standard value, the release will be suspended. President Yoon left first
I conveyed the position of the Korean government that respects the IAEA report that was issued. On the other hand, South Korean opposition parties such as the Minjoo Party have consistently opposed the release of treated water. The party said the IAEA would
He also criticized the comprehensive report, which concluded that Japan's efforts to address the issue are in line with international safety standards, saying, "It lacks neutrality and is biased toward Japan." Last month, some lawmakers belonging to the same party became prime ministers.
A protest rally was held in front of the mansion. Even in Japan, the release began on the 24th, while the public's anxiety was not completely dispelled.
At a regular press conference on the 25th, Park Gu-young, 1st Deputy Director of the South Korean Government Office for Policy Coordination, said that the South Korean government approved the release.
"The government's position is not 'in favor' of releasing contaminated (treated) water into the ocean, but is opposed to releases that are not based on international standards or scientific facts," he explained.
Confusion is spreading in South Korea, and on the 24th, university students tried to break into the Japanese embassy in Seoul, and 16 people were detained by the police.
Ta. The students held a demonstration against the release in front of the embassy just before they were detained. No injuries have been confirmed. The Hankyoreh newspaper, a Korean newspaper, reported on the Noryangjin fish market in Seoul on the 24th.
“It was a calmness that seemed to represent the gloomy atmosphere of the fishing industry,” he said. One of the shopkeepers, who has been doing business in the market for 30 years, told the newspaper that there was growing interest in the problem of treated water.
"It's the first time in our 30-year business history," he said. The owner emphasized to visitors that the marine products he sells are “made in Korea.” The paper said, "The call was in vain.
"There were only two customers hanging around the store." Yonhap News reported, "It will be interesting to see how the contaminated (processed) discharge from the Fukushima nuclear power plant will affect South Korea's fisheries production in the future."
Schools are said to be beginning to voice concerns, and the Ministry of Education (Ministry of Education is equivalent to a ministry) explained on the 25th that "fishery products that have been confirmed to be safe are supplied to school lunches." center of korean paper
"According to the Ministry of Education, a survey of 11,843 elementary, middle, high and special schools between March 2021 and May 2023 found no cases of using Japanese marine products," the daily said. .
Prime Minister Han Duk-soo issued a statement on the 24th in response to the growing anxiety of the South Korean people. “It would be best not to release contaminated (treated) water, but in the current situation, there is no need for the public to worry too much.
The consensus of experts around the world is that there is no." On top of that, ``The IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Society, and Korean experts say that if the Japanese government releases it based on the measures announced,
I don't think there's much reason to worry. I hope you trust the government and trust the science," he said.