Gov't reviews changing description of Fukushima wastewater

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Fri, December 8, 2023 | 14:37

Politics

Gov't reviews changing description of Fukushima wastewater

Posted : 2023-09-22 16:55

Updated : 2023-09-24 14:41

Park Sung-hoon, first from right, vice minister of Oceans and Fisheries, answers questions during a daily government briefing on the release of treated wastewater from Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant, at Government Complex Seoul in Jongno District, Friday. Yonhap

By Jung Da-hyun

The government said, Friday, that it will decide whether to stop using the word "contaminated" to describe the treated wastewater that is being discharged from a crippled nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan, as soon an analysis of opinions from various experts are completed.

During a daily briefing on the wastewater discharge, Park Goo-yeon, the first vice minister of Government Policy Coordination, said the government is currently finalizing its analysis.

“Fishermen are in a desperate situation as they are directly impacted by the discharge of contaminated water, which is also linked to their livelihoods," Park said.

“However, overall public sentiment and perceptions are intertwined, so we will comprehensively review them and set the direction soon," he added.

For instance, Lee Seung-hee, a merchant selling frozen marine products at Mapo Agricultural and Marine Products Market in western Seoul, expressed concerns about public notice placards that read, "The government will deal with the contaminated water," which might increase people's fears, causing them to avoid visiting the market, when The Korea Times visited Mapo market on Aug. 22.

Park Sung-hoon, vice minister of Oceans and Fisheries, explained that the idea of using the term "treated water" is gaining traction, as Tokyo Electric Power Company is processing and discharging the wastewater which has been confirmed to contain acceptable levels of tritium as originally announced.

The wording used to describe the wastewater being released from the crippled nuclear power plant in Fukushima is an ongoing issue of contention in Korea.

Right after Japan started releasing the wastewater on Aug. 24, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) showed distinct differences in positions.

The DPK insists that the water from the crippled nuclear power plant in Fukushima is "nuclear waste," while the PPP asserts it should be called "treated water."

The opinion advocating the use of "treated water" insists that the term "contaminated water" only contributes to growing concerns among the public.

Following this dispute, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said on Aug. 30 that the government will consider changing the term.

Meanwhile, the government has been using the term "contaminated water" in its daily briefings on the Fukushima water release until now.