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Fukushima wastewater plan draws criticism as South Koreans protest nuclear reboot

Thursday, 09 March 2023 6:29 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 09 March 2023 6:29 PM ]

Frank Smith
Press TV, Seoul

Activists gathered in Seoul to protest Japan's plan to begin releasing the radioactive contaminated water accumulating as a result of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The demonstration comes as the region marks the 12th anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, with several nations, including China, protesting Tokyo's plan.

On March 11th, 2011, a tsunami flooded the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, causing the meltdowns of 3 reactors. 150,000 people were evacuated. The disaster caused nuclear-reliant country's to rethink energy policies.

Under previous President Moon Jae-in, South Korea had been moving to phase out nuclear energy. Now under President Yoon Suk-yeol, the country has reversed course, with plans to increase nuclear energy production to more than 30 percent of the total by 2030.

South Koreans demonstrating in Seoul oppose the country's return to nuclear energy reliance. South Korea is not only renewing old reactors, but restarting construction on new reactors and building nuclear power plants for other countries.

South Korea is developing a nuclear waste problem, with existing spent fuel storage set to reach full capacity within ten years.

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