Residents of Jeju Island protested, Thursday, the controversial discharge of radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant by likening themselves to Korea's 16th-century Admiral Yi Sun-sin. The admiral from the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom is famous for having defeated the Japanese fleet despite being outnumbered during the 1392-98 Imjin War.
Twelve fishing vessels helmed by members of local ship owners' associations, female divers ("haenyeo" in Korean) and young locals set out from Jocheon near the popular Hamdeok Beach on the northern coast of the island. The charging ships ploughed through waves while national flags and yellow banners fluttered in the wind. The banners contained messages like "If the sea dies, Jeju dies as well," "All Koreans disagree," "Let's protect Jeju's waters" and "Oceans aren't Japan's dumping grounds for radioactive waste."
The protesters referred to the day's rally as the "1597 Battle of Myeongnyang, 2023 Battle of Jeju," linking the rally's spirit to the battle between Yi's 13 ships and a Japanese fleet of around 130 ships. Taking place in the country's southern waters between the mainland and Jeju Island, the battle saw the Japanese fleet retreat against Yi's art-of-war gambits that cleverly took advantage of the local ocean currents.
During the rally, the protesters submerged a giant Rising Sun flag, a symbol of Japanese imperialism, and positioned their vessels around it.
The protesters said that if the Japanese government discharges the radioactive water as planned, all living creatures, including humans, will be endangered on Jeju Island, where they are surrounded by ocean waters. In a rally on land prior to embarking on their sea journey, they said they have decided to "bet their lives" on preventing the controversial discharge. The discharge is planned to begin later this year and will continue for 30 to 40 years.
The protesters called it "an act of terrorism" as it will drive people out of the island by destroying its local fishery and tourism businesses.
The protesters also raised a protest banner that read, "There are 700,000 Yi Sun-sins here on Jeju," with the figure referring to the island's approximate population.
The radioactive water discharge issue continues to intensify in Korea as many people across the country are criticizing the Japanese government's dumping plan following the plant's tsunami-induced destruction in 2011, and said they cannot trust the final assessment report from the International Atomic Energy Agency which approved the plan.
The issue has created thick divisions among Korean lawmakers, with those from the ruling People Power Party welcoming the discharge and opposition parties accusing them of kowtowing to the Japanese government.
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