South Korea is experiencing severe salt shortages as consumers stock up on the seasoning due to anxiety regarding the planned release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan. Japanese authorities and the UN's nuclear watchdog agency have insisted that the plan is safe, but South Korea, China, and other neighboring countries have expressed concerns about potential contamination. This fear has led to a surge in salt prices and hoarding of other sea-based dietary staples in South Korea. The South Korean government has released salt from its reserves to stabilize prices, but public anxiety remains high. In response to the planned release, China announced a ban on imported food from 10 Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima. The public concern is bad news for Japanese fishermen who have already suffered significantly since the Fukushima disaster in 2011. The fishing industry fears that the wastewater release could be the final blow, with South Korean fishermen also anticipating negative impacts. Despite reassurances from authorities and the International Atomic Energy Agency, public skepticism remains widespread.
Mon, 10 Jul 2023 03:59:00 GMT | CNN