Korea will not be lifting ban on imports of seafood from Fukushima

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Korea will not be lifting ban on imports of seafood from Fukushima

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, shake hands at their bilateral summit in Tokyo on March 16. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, shake hands at their bilateral summit in Tokyo on March 16. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

 
The presidential office said that Korea will not be lifting its ban on imports of seafood from Japan's Fukushima area Thursday.  
 
"When it comes to the import of Japanese seafood products, there is no change in the government's position that the health and safety of the people is the top priority," said the presidential office in a statement. "Seafood products from Fukushima will never enter this country."
 
This comes amid growing concern in Korea over the import of seafood from the Fukushima area following President Yoon Suk Yeol's summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo earlier this month, which has led to a thaw in bilateral relations.  
 
After the summit on March 16, Japanese media outlets reported that Japan had requested Korea abolish restrictions on imports of seafood products from Fukushima.  
 
On Wednesday, Japan's Kyodo News reported that Yoon told Japanese lawmakers during his Tokyo visit that he is committed to seeking public understanding regarding Japan's plan to release treated radioactive water into the sea from the defunct Fukushima nuclear power plant, citing a diplomatic source.
 
Yoon reportedly vowed all-out efforts to remove concerns in Korea over the water discharge, "even if it takes time," according to the source, during a meeting with former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and other members of a parliamentarian union promoting friendly ties between the two countries.
 
A massive earthquake and tsunami struck Japan on March 11, 2011, destroying the Fukushima nuclear power plant, and Korea has maintained a ban on imports on Japanese seafood from affected areas since.  
 
Japan announced in 2021 a controversial decision to gradually release radioactive water stored in tanks at the plant into the Pacific Ocean, a source of concern for environmental groups, Koreans and other neighboring countries.
 
The liberal Democratic Party questioned whether Yoon had many any concessions to Kishida during the summit during the process of easing bilateral ties.  
 
A presidential official said last week that he couldn't confirm the details of what was said during Yoon and Kishida's summit as they are confidential when asked about the seafood import ban.  
 
But the official said that the ban on Japanese seafood imports can only be lifted when there is enough scientific evidence and public sentiment to back the measure.  
 
He noted that "some Japanese politicians are said to have mentioned this issue" when meeting with Yoon during the two-day trip to Tokyo.  
  

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]
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