South Korea Sees Protests Over Japan's Plan To Release Fukushima's Treated Radioactive Water

Members of the civic group and lawmakers in South Korea held a protest against the Japanese plan of releases treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. Korean Opposition lawmakers sharply criticised the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog for its approval of Japanese plans. In 2011, a devastating earthquake struck Japan that also triggered a deadly tsunami. The Fukushima plant was damaged and went into a meltdown. Seawater and boric acid were pumped into the plant to contain the meltdown. Protests are being held against the release of treated radioactive water as there are concerns that it could adversely affected the environment and livelihood of people dependent on fishing.

Updated: 11 Jul 2023 11:42 am

Japan South Korea Nuclear | Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man

South Korean and Japanese members of civic group hold signs during a rally to oppose the Japanese government's plan to release treated radioactive water into the sea from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, in Seoul, South Korea.

Japan South Korea Nuclear | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko

Local protesters and South Korean lawmakers hold banners against Japanese plans to release treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, during a rally in front of the Prime Minister's office in Tokyo. The banner reads, "Do not release polluted water!"

Local protesters and South Korean lawmakers hold banners against Japanese plans to release treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, during a rally in front of the Prime Minister's office in Tokyo.

South Korean lawmakers hold banners against Japanese plans to release treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, during a rally in front of the Prime Minister's office in Tokyo.

South Korean lawmakers hold placards and a banner against Japanese plans to release treated radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, during a rally in front of the Prime Minister's office in Tokyo. The small green placards in Japanese read, "(We) don't forget Fukushima!" The banner in Korean reads, "No dumping of Fukushima nuclear contaminated water at sea!," upper line, and "Let’s protect everyone’s sea together."

South Korean and Japanese members of civic group hold signs during a rally to oppose the Japanese government's plan to release treated radioactive water into the sea from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, in Seoul, South Korea.

Local protesters and South Korean lawmakers hold banners against Japanese plans to release treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, during a rally in front of the Prime Minister's office.