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The radiation leaks at Fukushima have sparked a public food scare in Korea... with many
consumers wondering whether it is safe to eat fish from Japan -- or anywhere at all.
Song Ji-sun reports.
It's an early morning at this large fisheries wholesale market in Seoul.
It should be bustling with retailers and consumers... but far fewer transactions are being made
-- as people are refraining from buying fish... over concerns about radiation.
"Consumer concerns about the safety of Japanese fish imports are growing in Korea with more
and more people steering clear of seafood from Japan."
"Consumers ask first whether the product is from Japan.
They've become extremely sensitive so they won't purchase anything, even the smallest
fish if it's from Japan."
"Our sales have dropped by 80 to 90 percent.
Seoul's fisheries corporation conducts radiation screening everyday and the results come out
normal all the time, but consumers seem to be rejecting all Japanese products."
According to data from Korea's large supermarket chains,... sales of pollack and mackerel -- which
were found to contain traces of cesium in some Japanese imports.. dropped by 60 and
30 percent respectively in August from the same month a year ago.
In an attempt to ease public concerns about the issue, the government has boosted the
number of inspections on seafood imports -- from once to twice a week.
But this simple step is not enough to put people's minds at ease... with many fearing
that, with hundreds of tons of highly radioactive water pouring into the ocean,... it is bound
to circulate around the world.
"Contaminated fishes are not here yet but the problem is going to be starting from next
month, for example, because now the plant is beginning to leak the highly contaminated
water."
Tokyo sent a report on the latest radiation leak and its planned countermeasures to Seoul
on Wednesday -- more than two weeks after Korea made an official request.
Song Ji-sun, Arirang News.