A sign set up at a discount chain outlet in Seoul on June 13, 2023, shows salt products are sold out. (Yonhap)
DAEJEON, June 15 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean consumers are growing increasingly concerned about marine products as Japan prepares to release contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima Daiichi plant into the sea.
Worried citizens are stockpiling salt out of fear that future supplies could be contaminated with radioactive substances.
A discount store in the central city of Daejeon experienced a shortage of salt products, with “sold-out” signs dominating store displays.
“For the past three days, salt products have been selling out as soon as we restock them. We place additional orders every day, but only 10 percent of our orders are actually delivered. We can clearly see the lack of stock across the country,” a store employee said.
Salt prices have been increasing due to a series of rain showers since April and the resulting hoarding.
Packages of 20-kilogram Sinan Sea Salt are now selling for 17,807 won (US$13,910), which represents an almost 30 percent increase since April.
While some experts urge the public to avoid spreading inaccurate information about the contaminated water that fuels fear and hoarding, consumer mistrust is expected to persist.
“It is evident that we need to improve the transparency of information regarding the contaminated water being released from Fukushima,” said Heo Kyung-ok, a professor of consumer studies at Sungshin Women’s University.
“However, this does not mean that public mistrust toward such information will simply disappear.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
