South Koreans worry about Fukushima water; more disapprove of President Yoon, says poll

SEOUL – A majority of South Koreans are worried about Japan’s discharge of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea despite efforts by their government to allay fears, a poll published on Friday showed.

Japan says the water from the wrecked nuclear power plant is safe, and it began releasing it into the Pacific on Aug 24 despite objections at home and abroad, particularly from China, Japan’s biggest trade partner, which banned Japanese seafood.

The South Korean government, however, has said it sees no scientific problem with the water release, though it emphasises that it does not approve of it and has banned the import of seafood from waters off Fukushima, north of Tokyo.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has led a campaign to ease public concern and encourage consumption of seafood. On Thursday, he visited a major fisheries market to shop and have lunch.

Despite such efforts, South Korean environmental groups and many members of the public are alarmed and Mr Yoon's disapproval rating has risen to the highest in months, a Gallup Korea poll of 1,002 people showed.

More than seven in 10 respondents said they were concerned about the impact on seafood and six in 10 said they were reluctant to eat seafood, according to Gallup Korea.

“Half of those who identify as conservative and supportive of the government... also expressed concern,” Gallup Korea said.

Mr Yoon’s disapproval rating rose to 59 per cent, up 2 percentage points from a week ago, to a 16-week high.

He has pledged 80 billion won (S$81.9 million) in 2023 to promote seafood consumption and has vowed to tackle what he called “fake news” about the release of the water.

The government has also launched a voucher programme offering up to 20,000 won to shoppers who buy seafood.

The Fukushima nuclear plant was wrecked by a tsunami triggered by an offshore earthquake in 2011. REUTERS