Analysis of the influence of Japan's nuclear waste water release on South Korean fishery people from the perspective of news reports

In April 2021, Japan's announcement of its plan to release filtered and diluted nuclear waste water into the sea around spring 2023 caused strong protests from South Korean fishermen. This study explores the impact of nuclear waste water discharge on the South Korean fishing industry based on 498 news articles from three major South Korean newspapers. Results showed that nuclear contamination has complicated the channels and processes of South Korean aquatic product operations, increased concerns among domestic and foreign consumers about the safety of fish, led to a decline in the sales of South Korean aquatic products, and caused anxiety among fishermen. This study fills an international research gap on the effects of nuclear waste water discharge on fishermen. It examines the economic and psychological impacts on the South Korean fishing industry and provides a reference for understanding the situation in the Asia-Pacific and dealing with nuclear pollution.