Trigger Warning: Nuclear contaminated water release of Fukushima happening this month
As a Korean, I'm writing this to express my hopelessness and despair.
Japan is going to release the water from Fukushima, which faced the disaster of earthquake and tsunami, likely this month.
As I watched the news, Japan's fishing industry is opposing the decision, that no one will trust the seafood anymore. Of course, as a neighboring country, South Korea, many people in my country are also opposing this idea, stating 'nuclear-contaminated water is never safe'.
However, much to my anger, frustration, and shock, the president's party, is labeling the opposition, who rightfully raised the concern about the release, as 'public instigators', and 'rumor-spreaders', ignoring the concerns of the public.
Time and time again, the president's party stated that the opposition is instigating the public not to trust seafood while spreading rumors. They stated that the public can consume seafood without concern. My depression, hopelessness, and fury increased, as the president's party installed political banners in my country, labeling the opposition, as 'public instigators', 'rumor-spreaders', and 'story fabricators'. This proves that the president's party doesn't care about a public concern, as several opinion polls showed that over 80% of the public opposes the water release plan, concerned about the long-term results to the environment and seafood industry.
To add insult to injury, the president's party politicians recently visited the fish market to support the safety of the seafood, but they drank the water from the aquarium, which is seawater, live on air. I'm not going to post the photo or video of this, but when I saw the photo that journalist took live on the scene, I noticed one fish market merchant making an expression, in disbelief. It was like the president's party is not considering this as a serious issue, only treating it as a laughing matter.
I'm hopeless, that contaminated water release will take this month, and I can say goodbye to my favorite seafood forever. I feel betrayed, as the president's party only cares about making the president happy and maintaining a positive relationship with Japan, and they expressed anger and demanded the government's action when the previous president was in power. I feel more hopeless that I can't go to the protest, due to my parent's disagreement and the fact I'm working in the broadcasting company, as I can lose my job if I'm involved in the protest.
I know, I have to see the situation unfolding, but as I'm standing here powerless and devastated, I'm extremely worried about the future. I don't know what to do, as I stand here, full of hopelessness, despair, and depression.
In this moment of helplessness, I turn to this community, hoping to find the support and understanding that I so desperately need. I appreciate any assistance or guidance you can offer as I navigate through this overwhelming sense of hopelessness, despair, and depression.
@tim2009
That would be a huge disaster tim, I understand your concern. I also eat fish quite often so I hear you when you say it can be something that impacts our life.
What to say tim.... let's hope nothing too damaging will happen and in the meanwhile you can reach out here and share how you feel.
Take care 💙
It is easy to be overwhelmed right now by the news and poor political decisions. This is coming from someone in Florida who is currently living with a fascist governor. Every day the news seems worse and it feels like people have stopped caring for one another and the environment.
But when I look closer, I realize that isn't true. People care in lots of different ways and what the government does does not control everything. Each one of us makes our own difference in our own way. I will keep up the fight and protest by caring for others and my world. I will talk to people, I will pick up trash, I will attend meetings when I can. You can do the same. @tim2009
Hello, @tim2009
I can feel your frustration with the politics in South Korea not taking the public opinion seriously. I can feel your hopelessness, despair, and helplessness with this matter. There are so many dishes that have seafood, and it will be devastating if Restaurants were to change their menus and remove all the seafood, for the health of public population.
Rather than participating in protests, are you able to form some sort of petition to bring the seriousness of this "release of nuclear waters from Japan" to the political party?
There are many seafood products imported to Canada from South Korea, it looks like we won't be buying them anymore either. I'll need to check their manufacture date, and make sure it's not from July 2023 and onwards, otherwise, our health will be impacted as well.
Update: It got worse.
The government did something unthinkable. By the Youtube video, they are advertising the safety of the contaminated water, which is clearly giving the green light to Japan to water release. The release is expected to take place in August, and needless to say, public is furious, like 'why the government is spending our tax for the Youtube video, advertising the safety of the contaminated water?', 'Is government is now acting as mouthpiece of Japan?' etc.
I am so sorry for the stress. What kinds of things are you doing to try to manage it?@tim2009
@tim2009 Your fear and outrage are understandable. People in power have been doing this kind of crime against people animals and the planet for a very long time. Is this at all sane? No. We should not have to pay for their sociopathic damage, but people have paid with their health and their lives for years. My description is in no way meant to diminish this particular problem close to your home. I live on the other side of the planet and I fear the dangers from this release may surely affect me or people close to me. I hardly ever eat fish, but I doubt that will allow me to escape this danger.
As Pond said, you don't have much ability to oppose this dumping of irradiated water by yourself. But with others who are as much against this move as you...
You already mentioned widespread public opposition to the Fukushima operation. Even if you cannot attend a protest right now yourself, you can support it in other ways. Donate to it if you can spare any cash (the protesting organization has gotta have a website or at least a crowdfunding account somewhere), publicize it on whatever social media you have, etc. You could go to another protest later, right?
If the situation is really that bad, well... There's always "direct action". Better be careful with that, though...in the US if you get caught wrecking equipment, or any kind of sabotage for a political cause--no matter what cause--you will likely go to prison for a few years. I can't imagine the authorities would be any more lenient in South Korea. If you choose that option, then for God's sake don't tell anyone about it. Do not post about it on here or anywhere else. During WW2 we had a saying: "loose lips sink ships". Remember that every friend of yours has other friends that he talks to, & each friend in turn has more friends, etc.
