"Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Advocates Unite Against Ocean Discharge of Contaminated Water in Weekend Protest"

On the 26th, within Seoul's city center, members of the Democratic Party and various opposition-affiliated groups came together to stage a united protest against the ocean discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant. The event saw the participation of political figures such as Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, and Bae Jin-kyo, the Justice Party leader, alongside Yang Kyeong-soo, the chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), and representatives from various civil organizations.

 

To facilitate the event, lanes from Seoul City Hall to Gwanghwamun were closed off.

 

Starting from 4 p.m., an estimated 7,000 people gathered for the rally organized by the civic group "Japan Radioactive Contaminated Water Ocean Discharge Countermeasure Joint Action." According to the police's estimates, the rally stretched from Gwanghwamun Square to the front of Seoul City Hall. The event began with a choir performing the song "The Last Stand" – a known anthem that reflects the opposition's stance against Japan. After the performance, the organizers shouted slogans demanding an immediate halt to the ocean discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima and calling for Japan to store nuclear-contaminated water domestically.

 

Taking the stage, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, emphasized that releasing radioactive water into the ocean was a "provocation against humanity and a declaration of war against Pacific nations." He demanded Japan to cease the release immediately, stating, "We demand Japan to halt the release of nuclear-contaminated water that threatens the safety and health of people worldwide." He also strongly criticized President Yoon Seok-yeol and urged him to prevent Japan's release of nuclear-contaminated water.

 

Bae Jin-kyo, the Justice Party leader, stated, "Our seas will be divided into pre and post nuclear-contaminated water release eras, spanning a century." He criticized the government of President Yoon Seok-yeol, saying, "What is as infuriating as the Japanese government is the Yoon Seok-yeol government." The rally also saw the participation of figures such as Yong Hye-in, the representative of the Basic Income Party, and Kang Sung-hee, the floor leader of the Progressive Party. University students who were previously arrested when attempting to enter the Japanese embassy and KCTU chairman Yang Kyeong-soo also took the stage to speak.

 

The rally was organized by groups including the KCTU, Korean Progressive Alliance, and Lawyers for a Democratic Society. These organizations had previously participated in the "BSE National Countermeasure Conference" which opposed the import of U.S. beef in 2008 and protested against the deployment of the U.S. THAAD missile defense system in South Korea.

 

To facilitate the event, lanes from Seoul City Hall to Gwanghwamun were closed off. The participants marched from Seoul City Hall through the Sungnyemun Intersection and Seoul Station Intersection to the War Memorial of Korea, where the Presidential Office is located. Around 7 p.m., the rally dispersed as participants chanted slogans directed towards the Presidential Office.