<중관영지>, Criticizes Korean Fukushima Inspection: "No On-Site Sampling"

Introducing Voices of Criticism from South Korean Opposition Parties

China's state-run media criticized the activities of the South Korean government’s Fukushima contaminated water inspection team, stating that "the consequences of discharging contaminated water into the ocean cannot be borne by either South Korea or Japan."

In an editorial on the 26th, the Global Times, affiliated with the Communist Party's official newspaper People's Daily, stated that the inspection team’s activities "confirmed the domestic South Korean public criticism that it was a 'three no's (no direct sampling, no disclosure of the inspection team list, no media supervision) inspection."

The editorial directly questioned, "What was the purpose of the South Korean inspection team’s visit without on-site sampling?"

It added, "If, as expressed by South Korea’s opposition figures, the visit was to give Japan a 'get-out-of-jail-free card,' then participating in such an inspection is a kind of disgrace for experts."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The editorial also stated, "The Pacific Ocean is not Japan’s sewer, and the serious consequences that may arise from this cannot be the responsibility of the governments of either Japan or South Korea," and "We hope Japan and South Korea will make decisions according to their own conscience."

Additionally, on the same day, Yangguangwang, the online edition of China National Radio, introduced the opposition activities of South Korean opposition parties and civic groups against the discharge of Fukushima contaminated water into the ocean.

It also introduced criticisms from South Korean opposition parties that the activities of the South Korean inspection team were a 'rationalization effort' for Japan’s contaminated water discharge.

The South Korean inspection team entered Japan on the 21st, conducted on-site inspections of the contaminated water discharge facilities and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, held technical meetings with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Tokyo Electric Power Company, and the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) on the 25th, and returned on the same day.