This photo, taken Aug. 22, 2023, shows seafood products displayed at a shop inside Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — The impending release of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant by the Japanese government has stirred significant distress among citizens and instilled a prevailing sense of crisis among business owners in South Korea.
Many are openly expressing feelings of helplessness in light of this situation.
This concern becomes especially pronounced as it coincides with the upcoming Chuseok holiday. Sales of seafood gift sets, an integral part of the festivities, are expected to suffer a profound impact.
The local fishing industry, already grappling with a decline in seafood consumption due to contamination fears, now faces an additional blow.
In South Korea, Yeonggwang Beopseongpo Gulbi, renowned for its seafood gift sets featuring traditional dried yellow corvina, confronts a dire predicament as the looming discharge of contaminated water from Japan’s nuclear power plants casts an ominous shadow of uncertainty.
Even prior to the commencement of the discharge, there has been a significant drop in the purchases of gulbi.
“A prevailing sentiment indicates that people are refraining from purchasing gulbi due to diminishing consumption.” said an official from the Yeonggwang Fishermen’s Cooperative Market.
This photo taken Aug. 22, 2023, shows a sign in front of a sushi shop in Seoul saying it does not use tuna from Japan amid concerns over the safety of seafood ahead of Japan’s planned release of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. (Yonhap)
However, it’s not only the merchants who are experiencing distress.
Fishermen, whose livelihoods hinge on venturing out to sea, are grappling with job losses. The countenances of these fishermen now reveal deep-seated concerns.
Another poignant example is the Pohang Jukdo Market, once bustling but now eerily deserted.
Sales have plummeted to less than half of last year’s figures, primarily due to reduced seafood consumption following the release of contaminated water from Fukushima.
A vendor at the market lamented the threat to his livelihood, emphasizing that while compensation offers temporary relief, the long-term implications for future generations are even more concerning.
Fishermen are wrestling with the scarcity of seafood, leading to emptier fish markets.
A fisherman shared that what was once a bustling market now witnesses a lack of customers, creating a vicious cycle as merchants avoid buying fish due to decreased demand at raw fish restaurants.
Rising business costs, declining consumption, and plummeting seafood prices are posing significant challenges within the fishing community, a phenomenon that has been felt across the country.
A prominent raw fish restaurant owner in Seoul’s Gwanak District voiced concerns about sales, already down by over 30 percent due to the imminent release of polluted water.
They further bemoaned the government’s seeming indifference to the struggles of fishermen and merchants, questioning the priorities of the current administration.
This photo shows storage tanks at the Fukushima nuclear power plant on Feb. 6, 2023. (Yonhap)
The impact extends beyond just raw fish restaurants. Even vendors offering food remotely linked to seafood are preparing for the fallout from the contaminated water discharge.
Customers have begun expressing apprehensions about consuming seafood-related products, underscoring a pervasive fear of potential radioactive contamination.
While large retail chains have undertaken radiation assessments and procured products prior to the water discharge, consumers remain anxious about purchasing gifts ahead of the Chuseok holiday.
The restaurant industry, already grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising food prices, is now contending with the fallout from the water release.
A franchisee emphasized the additional concern for seafood-based ingredients, irrespective of their origin, and the potential need to introduce radiation measurement equipment for quality control.
As the release of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant draws near, widespread apprehension among citizens and a sense of crisis among merchants foreshadow what are expected to be far-reaching consequences for local fishery communities, restaurant businesses and beyond.
The unrest serves as a stark reminder of the delicate interplay between humanity and the environment, and the resilience required to navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
