South Korea university students get their heads shaved during a protest against Japan's decision to release contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, in front of the Japanese embassy, in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday. Photo: REUTERS/Kim Hong-ji
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S Korean students shave heads in protest over Japan's Fukushima water release plan

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By Hyun Young Yi and Daewoung Kim

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shave heads in protest

Sorry, it doesn't make sense.

25 ( +32 / -7 )

The process of open testing and proving that it’s actually safe water now should be an open thing.

There should be a large campaign to show to the world through documented and videoed proof that all the water is clean. If not, keep in contained.

17 ( +21 / -4 )

These people never made any sense, to them, it's all about overreaction when it comes to any perceived slight from Japan.

Shaving heads in protest? Yeah, that'll show them. So utterly pointless and petty, these people will grasp at anything just so they can show off in public about how bad Japan always is.

Just last week (Kyodo news), a local newspaper in Seoul reported on the embarrassing news that the South Korean government themselves (including agencies like the Oceans and Fisheries Ministry) had concluded last year that releasing water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific would not pose a problem from a scientific viewpoint. The group mentioned that any water that reached South Korea would be diluted, and that tritium is difficult to be accumulated in the body.

30 ( +41 / -11 )

Koreans go mental over anything related to Japan. These same people drove a car into the Japanese embassy, refused to refuel Japanese cars, set themselves on fire at protests, and tried to put stickers in classrooms saying “This device was made by a war criminal".

24 ( +37 / -13 )

I think returning to Shout Korea would make it for an even more impressive protest. How about that?

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

Unbelievable spite and pure hatred toward Japan. Why are they not shaving their heads to protest their own governments regular release of radioactive water into the Sea of Japan from their nuclear plants?

The water being released off Fukushima is perfectly safe and poses no risks. It is safer than the regulations for drinking water. Fact.

These college kids, by becoming skinheads have just made themselves look like thugs.

9 ( +30 / -21 )

Koreans go mental over anything related to Japan.

You can keep off the "related to Japan" part.

I lived there several years in the late 90s, during the Asian Financial Crisis when the South Korea currency essentially devalued by half.

They blamed everyone, particularly the US. Massive protests were rampant daily.

I once saw a middle school protest event in Seoul where the valedictorian held an American flag, and the salutatorian lit it on fire. It was reported on the front page of the major newspapers congratulating the fine students.

It was strange to live there as a foreigner through all that.

24 ( +31 / -7 )

I'm going to grow my hair in protest to them shaving their hair.

32 ( +33 / -1 )

I may not agree with the release of the water but why are Koreans always so dramatic?

22 ( +27 / -5 )

One shouldn't mock political activism, no matter how small the deed. S. Korea is only a recently "democratized" country that many people forget, and it was the students and the locals who made it possible. Political activism is what got them to where they are now, and student activism is always mocked and brutally repressed because those who know, understand the power of youth. If you doubt it, just look at who your governments send to war, it's not the middle aged or elderly.

5 ( +13 / -8 )

Any solutions or viable alternatives offered to the dumping plan? No, thought not. That's because nuclear power is inherently dangerous and causes these terrible environmental catastrophes on a regular basis. As such these students should direct their anger at those nuclear power plants still operating. I believe South Korea still has many of them and I know Japan does. Let's get on with the process of shutting them all down and going renewable only.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

A Mohican style would have looked nicer on them.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

One shouldn't mock political activism, no matter how small the deed. S. Korea is only a recently "democratized" country

Recently?

They did it all to themselves and blamed everyone else.

This is a country that is even less capable of accepting responsibility for their own actions than Japan.

And all the "political activism" is 90% for show, more often than not directed at anyone but Koreans and always over the top dramatic.

13 ( +19 / -6 )

why are Koreans always so dramatic?

If you follow the news a little, these common stunts eg self-imolation, placing statues everywhere, now going for the criminal-skinhead look, all have a common theme - hatred of Japan and Japanese.

They are brainwashed to do so from when they start school. Simple as that.

15 ( +25 / -10 )

Since they aim their protest at Japan, shouldn't those signs be in Japanese?

Obviously aimed at locals for attention not Japan. Their 2 minutes of rage.

13 ( +19 / -6 )

I know their actions may seem extreme but I think it's to bring international attention to the matter.

I agree with them that Japan shouldn't dump the water into the ocean. If it's so safe, dump it in your own forest and drinking water.

I remember so many commeters here were against Japan's move to dump the water in a previous article but as soon as Korea comes to light, the anti-Koreans arise...

7 ( +16 / -9 )

In the 80s, yes the Korean students fought for their justice and won against the military coup. Those students are now senior adults and what have they taught to their children that these young students are now doing anything what they are against it. Nothing but the same mindset. Even the education don't change their mentality. But that was then and in their own territory. This is different. They are now like trespassing and in out of control.

Tell any Korean that Chinese also has Kimchi, they will go mad at you. No Japanese has gone mad at Kimbab which is exactly like Sushi. But one day, Japanese should do tit for tat.

2 ( +12 / -10 )

i would be very angry if somebody spills radioactive isotopes in my sea.

spill it in the Japanese lakes and dams.

-9 ( +10 / -19 )

I would like to know if shaving one's head has some cultural significance in Korea.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

The "Hate Japan" industry in South Korea sure seems to be booming, doesn't it? Passing that hot hate down to the next generation, then the next...just like their northern neighbor China.

I like to think about all the preparatory steps these "spontaneous public" demonstrations go through to achieve their "spontaneity". Find some willing "volunteers", typically from within one's own anti-Japan activist group, print professionally slick signs with matching barber coverings days or even weeks prior, invite the media, or better yet, do the event right outside the news channel's offices...just to be sure! Now, make sure all cameras protectively zoom in real close, so as not to reveal the fact that, minus journalists and activists, there are typically fewer than 50 honest "normal people" who even bother to attend such "news" farces!

~Mission Accomplished?

11 ( +19 / -8 )

spill it in the Japanese lakes and dams.

No. Unfair to Japanese rice and produce farmers.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Japan has other option such as buying new places for new radioactivity tanks or using new technology that can remove even tritium.

But Japan's Suga government mere chose to dump radioactive contaminated water to the sea because it is cheaper way than other option.

This regime spends several trillion yen for domestic travel campaign but save taxes about health and lives of people.

Japan's Suga government, TEPCO and mainstream media call contaminated water as "treated water containing tritium" to make radioactive contamination feel small, and deceive many people as if "treated water" contains tritium only.

But their "treated water" still contains 12 kinds of radioactivity such as Strontium90, Ruthenium106, Iodine129, Cesium135 beyond safety standard value.

Countries where oppose or concern against Japan's decision are never only South Korea and China.

Pacific Islands where continued to be suffered by radioactive contamination from innumerable nuclear test also demand that Don't dump nuclear waste in Pacific.

But Japan's mainstream media trivialize international protest as if only two "anti-Japan countries" are noisy.

Japan's government, ministry, agency, nuclear industries and mainstream media try to rebuild infamous "Safety Myth" to dump radioactive contaminated water this time without learning from lesson of Fukushima nuclear disaster.

TEPCO who actually operates to dump radioactive contaminated water repeat misstep about safety at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa or Fukushima as ever.

2 ( +11 / -9 )

Yeah, that’ll work, not!

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Ahhhh South Korea...always good for a laugh. Thank you.

13 ( +18 / -5 )

Japan's Suga government, TEPCO and mainstream media call contaminated water as "treated water containing tritium" to make radioactive contamination feel small, and deceive many people as if "treated water" contains tritium only.

But their "treated water" still contains 12 kinds of radioactivity such as Strontium90, Ruthenium106, Iodine129, Cesium135 beyond safety standard value.

Exactly.

Reuters reported three years ago that TEPCO had admitted lying about removing all radioactive materials from the water:

English

https://www.reuters.com/article/japan-disaster-nuclear-water/rpt-fukushima-nuclear-plant-owner-apologises-for-still-radioactive-water-idUSL4N1WR66Q

Japanese

https://toyokeizai.net/articles/amp/243012?display=b&amp_event=read-body

Until it can be categorically proven by independent tests that all strontium, caesium, iodine and ruthenium has been removed the water should not be released into the sea.

8 ( +17 / -9 )

It seems that Koreans don't know S Korean reactors are releasing much more tritium into sea than Japan. S Korea have 20 reactors operating and Japan has 55 reactors but only 9 reactors operating now and 46 are being stopped.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

Cleaner, and better looking, not to mention the $$$ Savings in hair care, Shampoo makers wont be happy of course.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

@oldman_13

Shaving heads in protest? Yeah, that'll show them.

Well, everyone in Korea does that when protesting, even a former prime minister and acting president.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-49723871

Why are South Korean politicians shaving their heads?

.

So utterly pointless and petty, these people will grasp at anything just so they can show off in public about how bad Japan always is.

Even crazier protest is the anti-US beef protest of 2008 due to mad-cow disease concerns. This protest was started by a group of middle-school students who were brainwashed by their leftwing teacher that Mad-cow disease infected US beef would kill them all. The students protested in front of the US embassy, soon other activists joined their protest and the size grew to 100K. The US caved in and agreed to change its beef export policy to ban export of beef from cattle older than 3 years(since Mad Cow Disease starts from Age 3).

So Koreans as young as Middle-School students know they can effect changes by protesting, something that escapes even Japanese adults who never protest against political establishment.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-korea-protest/anti-u-s-beef-protest-draws-100000-s-koreans-idUSSEO21734120080531

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_US_beef_protest_in_South_Korea

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

And no one committed self immolation?

14 ( +15 / -1 )

Don't need to shave their heads. Their hair will fall out anyway if they're exposed to the radiation.

Like mentioned above, I don't know how shaving their heads is going to inspire anyone for their cause. Stupid.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

@Hideomi Kuze

What source do you have for this statement:

But their "treated water" still contains 12 kinds of radioactivity such as Strontium90, Ruthenium106, Iodine129, Cesium135 beyond safety standard value

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I don't get it. Why dump it into the ocean if it's that clean?

If it is drinkable water, why don't all the Jgov politicians drink the water?

Further, why can't Japan create an artificial lake and dump the water in there?

Why not connect pipes from the tanks and connect it to the water reservoirs to provide free water to households? Probably the cheapest option.

So many solutions for the clean water. Yet, why dump it into the Pacific Ocean (not Japan's Ocean) and create enemies, including Taiwan?

This is no joke Japan. It's a crime against humanity, and you don't want to do that every century.

-2 ( +12 / -14 )

At least no pig got ripped apart or people lost fingers this time.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

It seems that Koreans don't know S Korean reactors are releasing much more tritium into sea than Japan.

Anyone who keeps commenting on this is showing their true color. There's only a handful of media outlets that report these fake news, mind you all in Japan. Other media outlets don't report this, let alone other countries. If you want to be part of Jgov's propaganda to prove to the world that Japan's radioactive water is safe, at least don't rely on fake news.

-11 ( +5 / -16 )

Never knew all those buddhist monks were so furious about everything

2 ( +7 / -5 )

@ Alfie Noakes

Reuters reported three years ago that TEPCO had admitted lying about removing all radioactive materials from the water:

English

https://www.reuters.com/article/japan-disaster-nuclear-water/rpt-fukushima-nuclear-plant-owner-apologises-for-still-radioactive-water-idUSL4N1WR66Q

Exactly.

The Jgov have done well to brainwash people to think it's just Tritium that's remaining. There's a reason why Korea, China, Russia, France, Canada, Philippines and Taiwan are not on Japan's side.

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

spill it in the Japanese lakes and dams.

No. Unfair to Japanese rice and produce farmers.

Why? According to you, it's supposedly clean.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

@Tom Doley

All reactors all over the world are releasing tritium only (no cesium, no strontium, etc.) into environment (sea, lake, sea). It is absolutely true. Nobody doubts it. More reactors are releasing more tritium into environment. S Korea has 20 rectors operating and Japan has only 9 rectors operating. That is all about it. Most people don't know about it. Truth is truth.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Reuters reported three years ago that TEPCO had admitted lying about removing all radioactive materials from the water:

Yeah and if we were 3 years ago this may mean something!

Japan has said it will work with the IAEA and it will let the world know if anything is wrong with the present information.

Your 3 years ago has zero to do with today.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

The "Hate Japan" industry in South Korea sure seems to be booming, doesn't it? Passing that hot hate down to the next generation, then the next...just like their northern neighbor China.

You're obviously immune to "hate Korea" in Japan. Have you not seen all the black vans with loudspeakers, bookstores with dedicated section on "Hate Korea" book, top 3 key words entered on Japanese search engines being "Korea" for all age bands (except under 30 women), protests to deport ethnic Koreans in Japan, TV personalities brazenly hating Korea on air, governments cancelling exhibitions containing Korean items, nippon kaigi schools that brainwash young kids etc etc.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

All reactors all over the world are releasing tritium only (no cesium, no strontium, etc.) into environment (sea, lake, sea). It is absolutely true. Nobody doubts it. More reactors are releasing more tritium into environment. S Korea has 20 rectors operating and Japan has only 9 rectors operating. That is all about it. Most people don't know about it. Truth is truth.

Not Japan's reactors. The truth is, 2 of the 3 ALPS treatment units in Japan weren't approved, and they were the ones that failed to separate out all the isotopes.

Yeah and if we were 3 years ago this may mean something!

Yeah, in an advanced country yes. We're talking about Japan who have failed to come up with proper protocols and action plans over 10 years. Things have not changed in the past 3 years.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

I guess it wouldn't be a normal day in Seoul without some sort of over-reactive protest.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

I think most Japanese are laughing at their Boze hair cutting, because in Japan, it is normally for showing apology when someone does terrible thing.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Not Japan's reactors. The truth is, 2 of the 3 ALPS treatment units in Japan weren't approved, and they were the ones that failed to separate out all the isotopes.

This is absolutely fake news. Need a proof that they can not separate all isotopes.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

P. Smith - my bad - indeed they were already there.. Oh well... reading news before morning coffee never led to anything good ;) .

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It's Hwabyung,  a mental illness which arises when Korean people are unable to confront their anger as a result of conditions which they perceive to be unfair.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Let's take a breath.

The concentration of tritium in the water that will be released will be 1/7 of EU stands for drinking water. And it will then be diluted even more in the ocean. As long as you don't drink 37,000 liters of seawater in one day, you will be fine.

The ocean already has a higher concentration than what will be released.

If you drank a quart of water directly from the tanks, before dilution in the ocean, the banana radiation equivalency (apparently a standard measurement now) is four bananas or a big bag of potato chips.

After all of the filtering that the water has been through, it will actually be less concentrated now than the water released from the plant before the accident. All nuclear plants release water with a similar amount of tritium continuously.

Please continue with your panic now.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

You're obviously immune to "hate Korea" in Japan. Have you not seen all the black vans with loudspeakers, etc...

Seriously!

A fringe group that 90% of Japanese ignore!

That is your "hate Korea" examples!

Every single Korean I have ever met goes on and on about how horrible the Japanese are, the government banned many Japanese productions for years and still has major restrictions on many things.

One comment here asked why if the protest was directed at Japan were all the signs in Hangul only and not Japanese.

The answer is simple because if they did so then they risk being a target of anger from the Korean press, government, etc...

My friend American married to a Korean lives in Japan, if they go to Korea they never speak English or Hangul in public and speak Japanese, why? Because doing so he risks being beaten again by a gang of anti foreigners that object to Korean women with non Korean men.

Never worried about that here in Japan.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

It's Hwabyung, a mental illness which arises when Korean people are unable to confront their anger as a result of conditions which they perceive to be unfair.

Much like the "nuts rage" incident that took place in 2014 at JFK International Airport on Korean Air Flight 86.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Listen. Have any one of you ever taken up the pursuit of cutting to the root every single hair on your head? You will know it is not an easy thing to do. Weeks of planning are involved and medical professionals need to be on hand and be at the ready should you have the misfortune to peirce your skin with the scissor ends. These brave young souls have taken up an enormous sacrifice! Their hair will take months and months to re-grow. Since their cause is honourable and just, let's dismiss the IAEA recommendations and from here on in, consult these youthful idealists.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Listen. Have any one of you ever taken up the pursuit of cutting to the root every single hair on your head? You will know it is not an easy thing to do. Weeks of planning are involved and medical professionals need to be on hand and be at the ready should you have the misfortune to peirce your skin with the scissor ends. These brave young souls have taken up an enormous sacrifice! 

I hope this was sarcas, if not, I would like to know what you are talking about.

My whole class back in high school shave their heads in support of a classmate going through cancer treatment, some went to the local Barber others use electric trimers and regular razor and shaving cream.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

It seems to me Koreans are a little difficult to control their emotion (hate, anger, sadness, happiness,,,, etc.), so their behaviors go nuts every time.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

I may not agree with the release of the water but why are Koreans always so dramatic?

There's something very childish and melodramatic about Korean culture. Look at how much more common everyday fights are there, how much more aggressive people are, how many soap operas they consume, how much louder people are, etc.

They seem to have impulse control issues at the societal level.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

They might just have needed a haircut anyway.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

noriahojanen: "Sorry, it doesn't make sense."

It makes perfect sense. I mean, you've now heard about the issue, have you not? The purpose was to draw attention (by whatever means they could), and it has. Mission accomplished.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

I would like to know if shaving one's head has some cultural significance in Korea.

Maybe it’s their sackcloth for mourning, penitence, or protest. Shaving heads is done as a punishment in Japan. Some high school clubs punish members for being late or forgetting something by doing so. Perhaps Japan imported this from the Koreans.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I just wonder what these young men are thinking about their own country's nuclear power plants are releasing tritium into sea? They think S Korea is okay but Japan is "no"?

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Yawns and what does this mean to me? I already boycott all Korean products.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

A fringe group that 90% of Japanese ignore!

That is your "hate Korea" examples!

Your few personal anecdotes represent all the Koreans? oh the hypocrisy. lol

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

@Antiquesaving

Today 09:58 am JST

"I hope this was sarcas, if not, I would like to know what you are talking about."

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Antiquesaving

Today 09:58 am JST

Yes, I was being sarcastic. 

"My whole class back in high school shave their heads in support of a classmate going through cancer treatment, some went to the local Barber others use electric trimers and regular razor and shaving cream."

Very moving story.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

This is absolutely fake news. Need a proof that they can not separate all isotopes.

Er, how it can it be fake news when the Japanese government itself admitted that it failed to remove the other isotopes? Stop relying on the fake media outlets.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

I already boycott all Korean products.

Me too. The Chinese ones as well.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I just wonder what these young men are thinking about their own country's nuclear power plants are releasing tritium into sea? They think S Korea is okay but Japan is "no"?

Were the same Koreans protesting against Japan's release of radioactive water prior to 2011? According to your argument, Japan had more reactors then so released more tritium back then.

Of course not, so there must be other reasons why they are protesting post 2011. Logic before belief mate.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Look at this guy @Tom Doley who thinks he knows better than IAEA.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

@Tom Doley France, Canada opposed? i don't think so. Taiwan initially was against it but quickly took it back saying it supports the release of water as per the guidelines of IAEA. Korea, China and Russia are alone in this and their motivations are PURELY political.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

@Tom Doley

If you are right about TEPCO can't separet out all isotopes, IAEA will never admit TEPCO to release tritium into ocean. What I know is IAEA admits Japan to do it as far as release is within IAEA standard. IAEA experts will come and examine all before release.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

@kwatt IAEA has already did all the inspections last year. Hell, even releasing all of the water into the water in 1 year without any dilution wouldn't result in any major threat to the life in the sea. The radiation being dumped is actually = to that of the radiation of 79 million bananas.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2021/04/12/japan-will-release-radioactive-fukushima-water-into-the-ocean/?sh=269acd4774c4

read this.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

The only effective way to achieve any meaningful change is being demonstrated by the peaceful protests held nightly in cities across the USA, as conscientious youth shatter oppressiveness and light the fires of freedom.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Sindhoor GK

Thanks about the information.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Probably those poor young students want to be politicians in the near future, as it becomes harder and harder to find a nice job. A member of the National Assembly in S. Korea is a very lucrative business, and mostly inferior students become politicians.

Anyway, it looks bizarre to me. Anti-science is widespread in S. Korea as much as in the U.S. And, combined with anti-Japanese, I am sure no regime can put it under control in S. Korea as witnessed in the 2008 beef crisis: https://www.csis.org/analysis/beef-crisis-south-korea

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

If they had jumped into the tanks and their hair fell out, they would have a point.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Just a matter of time before they start demanding compensation money also!, Then they will endlessly ask for compensation money every year.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

@bakakuma

Just a matter of time before they start demanding compensation money also!, Then they will endlessly ask for compensation money every year.

This well demonstrates that the average intelligence of some Japanese is as spectacular as those poor young Korean students. We are all equal in our infinite ignorance.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Just a matter of time before they start demanding compensation money also!, Then they will endlessly ask for compensation money every year.

Is the Pope Catholic? Of course, they will. It's the Korean way. LOL

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Look at this guy @Tom Doley who thinks he knows better than IAEA

It's called logic. If the water is damn safe, dump it in your own backyard, not in world's national park. Why wouldn't you if the radiation level is directly comparable to bananas?

I have little trust in IAEA when it involves issues related to one of the top funding member nations, just like I had no trust in WHO when it came to the China virus.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Too much free time, those youngsters....lol Shouldn’t they learn some first geography instead, just to see, that they are not even affected, situated on the other side of Japan and the big Sea of Japan in between, while that disputed water will stream eastwards into the Pacific Ocean , again filtered and at radiation levels some significant but much below bigger dangers.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

It's called logic. If the water is damn safe, dump it in your own backyard, not in world's national park.

Good idea tell that to China, SK, France, US whatever countries dumping it.

I have little trust in IAEA when it involves issues related to one of the top funding member nations, just like I had no trust in WHO when it came to the China virus.

But I do in UN HRC as far as comfort women issue is concerned right?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Look at this guy @Tom Doley who thinks he knows better than IAEA.

The IAEA is a industry funded body with a mandate to promote nuclear power on behalf of multinational conglomerates.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I wonder how some of the comments would look when Korea would release contaminated water into the ocean. I guess in that case imbibing the water would be life threatening and the death blow for the fishing industry of all Asia.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

If I wrote that tritium has a half-life of 12.3 years, at least 3 people would down vote it. The truth goes to the Internet to die.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

This sounds like an extremely credible anecdote. Oddly, when I visit Korea and walk around with my female Korean lady friends, I never experience this. Must be magic.

Well you can believe what you want, you can dismissy story or go with @SJ from the South Korean propaganda ministry.

I honestly have no skin in this as not Korean or Japanese, outside observer seen both places lived both places and despite all it's flaws Japan couldn't hold a candle to the over the top antics of the Koreans North and South.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Good idea tell that to China, SK, France, US whatever countries dumping it

Those countries don't have issues with their filtering systems.

But I do in UN HRC as far as comfort women issue is concerned right?

Definitely, top two funding members for UN is US and China, so less meddling with comfort women issues.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Well you can believe what you want, you can dismissy story or go with @SJ from the South Korean propaganda ministry.

Says more about the type of people one mingles with than labeling all Koreans as hating Japan.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Is this satire/bait? Because it reads just like:

"Young people doing dumb stuff in matters they don't fully understand" - By Hyun Young Yi and Daewoung Kim

Young people do dumb stuff - as did many when they were young. How the Korean media immediately jumps on this (look at the amount of cameras) and tries to make it a big story when it's actually just young folly makes them kind of desperate to blow this totally normal and transparent process out of proportion. The article even shortly discredits the youths' worries at the very end by indirectly quoting Kerry.

A reason why this article is so short is that if it were any longer, you would be forced to actually do investigative journalism where it actually would explain that what the kids are protesting against is actually a non-problem that they try to make into one.

The Korean government is of course rebuking the decision because they "have to fight against evil Japan" to keep their nationalist voters on board.

Not wanting to trash the authors, but this article is low effort considering that 2 people wrote it.

Also love how Hyun Yi actually reposted this story on Reuters a few hours later without crediting Kim.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

In addition I would invite all of those complaining people to show them some beach areas here and how countries like their South Korea or also China already massively contaminate the sea. Sometimes you can’t even see the beaches’ sand because everything is covered with fishery garbage , drink bottles, used cosmetics, other plastic garbage, even oil canisters or chemicals containers , all labeled in Hangul or Chinese characters, for hundreds of meters on the beaches. Not only to shut up their loud dumb mouths but also just to do something good and collect it all for taking it back to their countries.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

From what little I have read, the water under discussion has been treated to the point that it is indeed completely safe to release into the ocean, or anywhere else. If this is true, and if the Japanese leaders believe it to be true, then they should hold a press conference at which they all drink the water.

Seems to me that the problem is one of perception. The idea of releasing "radioactive water" into the ocean is understandably abhorrent to everyone. If it is not radioactive water, but clean treated water, then the perception needs to be changed.

May I say that I am not claiming that the Fukushima treated water is clean. I have no personal knowledge about the subject, but, I have read a report that the treated water is clean and safe for just about anything imaginable.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Shaved heads get sunburned very easily. They should wait for the fall to shave and protest. Water won't be dumped for two years from now anyway.

Plus, why don't they protest outside their own reactor plants as they always dump tritium water?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I heard that the water from the normal circuit and the water from the explosion are different. So isn't it a problem?

Nuclear power plants in all countries release water, but it is rare for all countries to release 125 tons of water exploded in accidents over the next few years.

Therefore, it is not to say not to discharge, but to demand transparency about the results of contaminated water purification, management, and discharge, and the Japanese government only needs to show it.

Besides the paper with the numbers on it, they can actually check it in front of them.

Why is it difficult?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Perhaps Japan imported this from the Koreans.

Actually I think it originally comes from India. Men there will shave their head in mourning or as an offering to a deity. Women do it for good luck. I think along with Buddhism the idea of ritual head shaving traveled east to the rest of Asia.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Tom D

Japan is dumping it in its own back yard, right?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

really Korea, focus on your own problems! anyway thinks that isn't called for, read the sinking Sewol saga, Korea is deeply corrupt, whether you admit it or not . protestslike this are permitted, exaggerated and lengthened to take attention away from domestic corruption, Korean on Korean crimes

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Tom DoleyToday  01:22 pm JST

Good idea tell that to China, SK, France, US whatever countries dumping it

Those countries don't have issues with their filtering systems.

Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1. Holy s**t!! They didn't even realize the hole of the pool for as LONG as 8 YEARS!! and let the reactor running, kept spreading radioactive sludge up until very VERY RECENTLY!!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Therefore, it is not to say not to discharge, but to demand transparency about the results of contaminated water purification, management, and discharge, and the Japanese government only needs to show it.

Besides the paper with the numbers on it, they can actually check it in front of them.

Why is it difficult?

What about Japan's treated water, which is so readily available that it is distributed to freelance journalist?

Of course, they'll ask you to prove your identity and what you're using it for.

In addition, Japan has already accepted an IAEA audit. Their experts will have already analyzed it.

On the contrary, I ask you, is it so difficult for Korea to get and analyze treated water that even a freelance journalist can get?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

One more word.

Drinking water is not the same as drinkable water.

For example, distilled water does not taste good and does not contain the minerals necessary for agriculture.

Japan also has the right to choose water that is suitable for drinking and agricultural use, and to choose water that makes a good impression.

If you say otherwise, then that is exactly what South Korea should do if it uses its own treated water for drinking and agricultural purposes.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Well, two things, one, at least these Joseon youth can contribute their hair to cancer victims.

Two, these same desperate Korean youth will soon be seeking visas to go to Japan looking for jobs!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

While they were certainly put up to this challenge, I suspect most did it with the intended honor of impressing the older Korean bucks with their feat much more than they give a hoot about any seawater...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Bravo, the Korean students who dedicated themselves to protest a public frustration! They should send their hairs in a box and by courier straight to Japanese Prime Minister's office, put it on Mr. Suga's desk and let him know the frustration of Korean people over this matter!

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

It'll grow back.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

GAMBATE, well protested.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

These poor young kids. I worry about them, some of them could commit suicide, when they get released from cults and realize everything they were told was FAKE.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Here's an article from the KoreaTimes regarding this issue and it's hilarious how hard the author is trying to spin it to bash Japan to no avail. Here's one example...

For years, the government here has been calling on Japan to share information on the contaminated water and to let Korean experts take part in damage verification procedures. The friction between the two countries resurfaced recently as a diplomatic issue after Japan announced April 13 its plan to release more than 1 million tons of the contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean starting 2023. 

He then follows up with this this right after

"Japan first brought up the idea of information sharing in 2019 during diplomatic discussions, in what appears to be a strategy to set off a debate on revealing the radioactive waste information to Korea and China," a government official said on condition of anonymity. "Despite Japan's claim, we don't see this as a developing debate."

So Korea demanding to share information on the contaminated water. Then when Japan proposes of sharing infromation of contaminated water, it becomes an evil Japanese diplomatic ploy that Korea should not partake in. Also, keep in mind that Korea completely disregards that an international agency, IAEA, supports Japan on its decision. The most telling that this is another move to discredit and bash Japan is this paragraph:

"Japan seems to have established a strong logic," said Seong Poong-hyun, a professor at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology's Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering.

"As Korea is also releasing wastewater containing tritium ― from the Wolsong nuclear plants ― after verifying its environmental harmlessness, this has become a counter strategy for Japan. However, it could be a good option for Korea to make public its data on the wastewater and compare it with that from Fukushima."

Korea is also releasing contaminated water, refuses to disclose the amount that it discharges out into the sea, and even receives scientific infromation from an agency within their own government that concludes no harm will be done from the Japan's release of the water. Yet, reading the comments of Koreans on this site and seeing Koreans behave like the picture above shows the result of a national propaganda policy to demonize Japan.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

All you that support Japan’s plan to release radioactive waste into the sea as okay, nothing wrong with it, let's say if a neighboring country where your reside decides to dump radioactive contaminated materials into your backdoor sea, would you be comfortable? I think NOT! If Mexico dumps radioactive materials into the Gulf of Mexico, you think Americans will not react? If Russia dumps radioactive materials into the sea near your country, you think Europeans will not react? I think NOT. This is not about Japan vs Korea. It is about Japan's irresponsible attitude with no respect to surrounding countries that share ocean with them. Japan is trying to solve their domestic nuclear waste problem as cheaply as possible, I repeat, as cheaply as possible, despite protests from neighboring countries. If the situation was reverse, Korea dumping radioactive wastes into the Sea of Japan or Yellow Sea, hell bent Japan would react in the same manner. So sad so many English speaking readers of Japan Times take Japan's side when it comes to Japan vs Korea matters.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Only 30 of them?

I don't see any alternatives. The water has to go somewhere. Oceans are huge. That's an understatement. Limited releases every few week for years would be ok environmentally from the studies I've read. Here's a diagram of the ocean currents: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Japan%27s_ocean_currents.PNG

The current map clearly shows that the north Pacific and Alaska will be where the water heads, not towards Korea or China or any other neighbors. By that time, it will be so diluted as to be nearly immeasurable.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/13/japan-to-release-contaminated-fukushima-water-into-sea

The water will be treated to meet or exceed safe levels according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

China just wants to complain. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson claims that

Fukushima water could destroy half the Pacific Ocean in 57 days

are bull.

SK is being anti-Japan because that's their purpose.

Follow the science, not emotions.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

These kids are all members of Pro-North Korea group called South Korean College Union for Progress, who respect Kim Jong-Un and held welcome event to invite him to SK, or some other time, broke into US embassy to protest against US presence in SK

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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