Photo: Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Credit: Public domain.
Even in hyper-partisan South Korean society, the danger of radiation poisoning retains the power to unify. In this week’s Gallup Korea survey, 75% of respondents said they were concerned about the radioactive wastewater discharge from the failed Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, and 73% said they were concerned about the potential radioactive contamination of seafood. Even among self-identified conservatives, 58% said they were concerned about the discharge, with another 56% saying seafood contamination is possible.
In a bid to defuse negative public opinion, the Office of the President 대통령실 and the People Power Party 국민의힘 have been conspicuous about displaying their public consumption of seafood - and even seawater. (See previous coverage, “PPP Lawmakers Drink out of Fish Tank.”) Even so, 60% of respondents, including 43% of self-identified conservatives, said they were concerned about having seafood.