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Members of environmental, civic, social, and religious groups march through Gwanghwamun in central Seoul on March 8 as part of a “nuclear phase-out day of action” event. (Kim Jung-hyo/The Hankyoreh)

Environmental, civic, social, and religious groups took to the streets of Seoul on Thursday for a “nuclear phase-out day of action” rally.

Groups such as the Korea Federation for Environmental Movements, Climate Justice Alliance, Korea YWCA, Hansalim National Environment Activities Conference, and the Religious Environmental Conference all took part in the gathering outside the Finance Building in central Seoul.

As the Japanese government signals its preparations to dump radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant, participants in Thursday’s rally said that Japan’s choice posed a threat to all life connected to the ocean and called for the plan to be withdrawn.

Members of environmental, civic, social, and religious groups take part in a rally held as part of a “nuclear phase-out day of action” event held in central Seoul on March 8. (Kim Jung-hyo/The Hankyoreh)

Saturday, March 11, will mark the 12-year anniversary of the earthquake that hit eastern Japan and led to the meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Participants in the rally also called the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s push to expand nuclear power a “step backward in responding to the climate crisis and a policy that exacerbates dangers,” calling for the policy to be ended.

After their rally, participants marched through the streets of central Seoul, calling for others to join in the action to bring about a world without nukes.

We’ve collected a series of photos from Thursday’s events.

Participants in the March 8 rally hold up cards that read “Fukushima wastewater” during their march through central Seoul. (Kim Jung-hyo/The Hankyoreh)

Members of environmental, civic, social, and religious groups take part in a rally held as part of a “nuclear phase-out day of action” event held in central Seoul on March 8. (Kim Jung-hyo/The Hankyoreh)

Members of environmental, civic, social, and religious groups march through Gwanghwamun in central Seoul on March 8 as part of a “nuclear phase-out day of action” event. (Kim Jung-hyo/The Hankyoreh)

Members of environmental, civic, social, and religious groups march through Gwanghwamun in central Seoul on March 8 as part of a “nuclear phase-out day of action” event. (Kim Jung-hyo/The Hankyoreh)

Members of religiously affiliated environmental groups hold a prayer rally outside of the Donghwa Duty Free Shop in central Seoul on March 8 as part of a “nuclear phase-out day of action” event. (Kim Jung-hyo/The Hankyoreh)

Members of environmental, civic, social, and religious groups march through Gwanghwamun in central Seoul on March 8 as part of a “nuclear phase-out day of action” event. (Kim Jung-hyo/The Hankyoreh)

Members of environmental, civic, social, and religious groups march through Gwanghwamun in central Seoul on March 8 as part of a “nuclear phase-out day of action” event. (Kim Jung-hyo/The Hankyoreh)

By Kim Jung-hyo, staff reporter

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