Briefly

CHINA

Fukushima seawater samples being tested

Seawater samples collected by Chinese experts near Fukushima have arrived in China, and are being tested and analyzed by Chinese research institutions, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Tuesday. China will release the progress of the tests promptly, Lin said. The samples were collected near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in October, when experts from China and other countries, organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency, went to Fukushima for independent seawater sample collection, the spokesman said. Lin said Japan has agreed to ensure that China and other stakeholders collect samples and conduct monitoring independently.

SOUTH KOREA

President declares emergency martial law

South Korean President Yoon Sukyeol on Tuesday declared martial law in an unannounced late-night address broadcast live on YTN television. Yoon said he had no choice but to resort to such a measure in order to safeguard free and constitutional order, saying opposition parties have taken hostage of the parliamentary process to throw the country into a crisis. He did not say in the address what specific measures will be taken. Yonhap reported that the entrance to the parliament building was blocked. The move drew immediate opposition from politicians, including the leader of his own party, Han Donghoon, who called the decision "wrong" and vowed to "stop it with the people". Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung called Yoon's announcement "unconstitutional".

IRELAND

Incumbent parties retain power in polls

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, members of Ireland's incumbent governing coalition, have held on to power after the final votes were counted in the country's general election on Monday night. With all 174 legislative seats filled Fianna Fail had won 48 seats and Fine Gael 38. The two parties fell just short of the 88 needed to achieve a majority without third-party support. The main opposition party Sinn Fein won 39 seats.

Agencies - Xinhua - China Daily