How do Japan, South Korea and China's mainstream newspapers frame Japan's decision in discharging their Fukushima wastewater? — A content analysis (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiankun Gong ◽  
Kwan-Hoon Ng ◽  
David Yoong ◽  
jinghong Xu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Critical Literacy ◽  
News Media ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Japanese Government ◽  
Open Communication ◽  
Image Protection

BACKGROUND On April 13, 2021, the Japanese government announced releasing its radiated Fukushima wastewater into the Pacific Ocean as they are running out of storage space. Despite fierce opposition by neighboring China and South Korea, Japan has downplayed ecological and health risks possibilities. Extant literature indicates that when a message is disseminated, what matters most is not what is said but how it is said. Thus, this research examines how these countries' governments present their arguments, as propagated through their mainstream newspapers. Examining how these ideas are framed in news media enables us to explain how public beliefs are shaped and manipulated. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is twofold: to identify the salient frames and themes of communicating Fukushima wastewater risk in three mainstream newspapers. It hopes to avoid risk amplification, enticing readers to "read between the lines", activating their ideological repertoire. Also, it aims to increase critical literacy skills among readers, and improve public health. METHODS A total of 88 news articles from January 1, 2021, to May 31, 2021, were collected from the LexisNexis database using the keywords: "Fukushima" and "nuclear": The Japan Times (TJT) 35, China Daily (CD) 34, and The Korea Herald (TKH) 19. Open-coding and thematic analysis were conducted. The coded themes were then further sorted into broader categories based on the news framing analytical framework. RESULTS Divergent frames and themes emerged in selected newspapers. TJT was of self-defence, with image protection and counter-blaming frames. In contrast, CD and TKH displayed commonalities regarding the decision, such as being irresponsible, lacking transparency, and blaming Japan and economic concern. CONCLUSIONS This study timely mapped out Japan's wastewater decision coverage in the neighboring countries’ leading newspapers. Our results indicated that the Japanese risk communication of Fukushima wastewater still lacks full consideration of open communication channels, geopolitics, and public health. This could shape not only public perception, amplify risk but also increase geopolitical distrusts and community tensions. Instead, the Japanese government should heed the news frames of its neighbors and address the fears and concerns raised. It reminded relevant policymakers to accentuate geopolitics and multilateral agreements. Also, it served as a reminder for media practitioners and journalists to report news constructively and with accountability.

Application of Inherent Risk of Contagion (IRC) framework & modelling to aid local Covid-19 response & mitigation: Viewpoint (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmi Zakariah ◽  
Fadzilah bt Kamaluddin ◽  
Choo-Yee Ting ◽  
Hui-Jia Yee ◽  
Shereen Allaham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Vulnerable Population ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Inherent Risk ◽  
Transmission Area ◽  
Current Outbreak ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

UNSTRUCTURED The current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2 has been a major global public health problem threatening many countries and territories. Mathematical modelling is one of the non-pharmaceutical public health measures that plays a crucial role for mitigating the risk and impact of the pandemic. A group of researchers and epidemiologists have developed a machine learning-powered inherent risk of contagion (IRC) analytical framework to georeference the COVID-19 with an operational platform to plan response & execute mitigation activities. This framework dataset provides a coherent picture to track and predict the COVID-19 epidemic post lockdown by piecing together preliminary data on publicly available health statistic metrics alongside the area of reported cases, drivers, vulnerable population, and number of premises that are suspected to become a transmission area between drivers and vulnerable population. The main aim of this new analytical framework is to measure the IRC and provide georeferenced data to protect the health system, aid contact tracing, and prioritise the vulnerable.

scholarly journals Comparison of the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea: Importance of early public health intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 ◽  
pp. 742-745
Author(s):  
Hye Seong ◽  
Hak Jun Hyun ◽  
Jin Gu Yun ◽  
Ji Yun Noh ◽  
Hee Jin Cheong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Public Health Intervention ◽  
Health Intervention

scholarly journals Precautionary Behavior Practices and Psychological Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients and Quarantined Persons

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6070
Author(s):  
Yubin Lee ◽  
Byung-Woo Kim ◽  
Shin-Woo Kim ◽  
Hyunjin Son ◽  
Boyoung Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Psychological Characteristics ◽  
Social Solidarity ◽  
Psychological States ◽  
Precautionary Behavior ◽  
Public Health Emergency Preparedness

Background: since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first reported in 2019, South Korea has enforced isolation of patients with confirmed cases of COVID-19, as well as quarantine for close contacts of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 and persons traveling from abroad, in order to contain its spread. Precautionary behavior practices and psychological characteristics of confirmed and quarantined persons were investigated for planning pandemic recovery and preparedness. Methods: this study was conducted with 1716 confirmed patients and quarantined persons in Daegu and Busan, regions where a high number of cases were confirmed during the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea. We collected online survey data from 23 April to 20 May 2020, in Daegu, and 28 April to 27 May 2020, in Busan, in cooperation with Daegu and Busan Infectious Disease Control Centers and public health centers in the regions. COVID-19 symptoms, pre-cautionary behavior practices, psychological states, and the need for improvement in isolation/quarantine environments were examined using an online survey. Results: compared to patients infected with coronavirus, quarantined persons engaged in more hygiene-related behaviors (e.g., hand washing, cough etiquette, and proper mask-wearing) and social distancing. COVID-19 patients had a strong fear of stigma, while quarantined persons had a strong fear of contracting COVID-19. Study participants responded that it was necessary to provide financial support and adequate information during isolation/quarantine. Conclusions: the study highlights the importance of precautionary behavior to prevent COVID-19 infection and the need to provide support (both psychological and financial) to patients and quarantined persons, to reinforce effective communication, social solidarity, and public health emergency preparedness (PHEP) in a pandemic situation.

scholarly journals Review of Irish patients meeting ST elevation criteria during the COVID-19 pandemic

Open Heart ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e001716
Author(s):  
Luke Byrne ◽  
Roisin Gardiner ◽  
Patrick Devitt ◽  
Caleb Powell ◽  
Richard Armstrong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Coronary Intervention ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
St Elevation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Transfer Times

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has seen the introduction of important public health measures to minimise the spread of the virus. We aim to identify the impact government restrictions and hospital-based infection control procedures on ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) care during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsPatients meeting ST elevation criteria and undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention from 27 March 2020, the day initial national lockdown measures were announced in Ireland, were included in the study. Patients presenting after the lockdown period, from 18 May to 31 June 2020, were also examined. Time from symptom onset to first medical contact (FMC), transfer time and time of wire cross was noted. Additionally, patient characteristics, left ventricular ejection fraction, mortality and biochemical parameters were documented. Outcomes and characteristics were compared against a control group of patients meeting ST elevation criteria during the month of January.ResultsA total of 42 patients presented with STEMI during the lockdown period. A significant increase in total ischaemic time (TIT) was noted versus controls (8.81 hours (±16.4) vs 2.99 hours (±1.39), p=0.03), with increases driven largely by delays in seeking FMC (7.13 hours (±16.4) vs 1.98 hours (±1.46), p=0.049). TIT remained significantly elevated during the postlockdown period (6.1 hours (±5.3), p=0.05), however, an improvement in patient delays was seen versus the control group (3.99 hours (±4.5), p=0.06). There was no difference seen in transfer times and door to wire cross time during lockdown, however, a significant increase in transfer times was seen postlockdown versus controls (1.81 hours (±1.0) vs 1.1 hours (±0.87), p=0.004).ConclusionA significant increase in TIT was seen during the lockdown period driven mainly by patient factors highlighting the significance of public health messages on public perception. Additionally, a significant delay in transfer times to our centre was seen postlockdown.

scholarly journals Panic and Trust during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study on Immigrants in South Korea

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 199
Author(s):  
Myeong Sook Yoon ◽  
Israel Fisseha Feyissa ◽  
So-Won Suk
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Native Community ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Marginalized Groups ◽  
Local Media ◽  
Effective Public Health

In the COVID-19 pandemic, marginalized groups like migrants are disproportionately affected. As panic, fear of neglect, and mistrusting institutions in these groups are presumed to be apparent, their detachment to health services still needs to be investigated. This study comparatively analyzed the level of panic and trust between South Koreans and immigrants who are living within highly affected areas of South Korea. Mann–Whitney-U-Test and Pearson correlation showed panic is more pronounced in the Korean group while having a similar panic display pattern with the immigrants. The immigrant group appears to highly trust the Korean health system, health institutions, local media, and the local native community. Beyond conventional expectations, participant’s average panic score showed a statistically significant positive correlation with items of the trust scale, indicating a level of individual reliance amid the pandemic panic. Thus, ascertaining institutional trust and matured citizenry are identified as factors for effective public health outcomes. During such a pandemic, this study also reminded the public health needs of immigrants as secondary citizens, and presumptions of immigrants’ mistrust in such settings might not always be true.

Finding beneficiaries: trade adjustment assistance system in South Korea

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joon-heon Song
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Policy Preferences ◽  
Trade Adjustment Assistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Policy Failure ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Trade Adjustment ◽  
The Government

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the essential cause for the policy failure of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) in South Korea. Design/methodology/approach To substantiate the claims made for the failure of the policy, this paper focuses on the differences in policy preferences among the government ministries and agencies involved in TAA. Findings The failure in the TAA policy, according to this study, was attributed to the conflicts and miscoordination arising from the differences in policy preferences among government ministries and agencies. To rectify this failure, the South Korean government had to revise its laws and regulations several times over a short period. Originality/value Drawing on the analytical framework of the literature on policy failure, this paper examines the causal relationships between outcomes of TAA policy and the conflicts or miscoordination among government bodies at each stage: initiatives and planning, implementation and operation of the policy.

scholarly journals What are we told? A news media monitoring model for public health and the case of vaccines

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Odone ◽  
C. Signorelli
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
News Media ◽  
Monitoring Model ◽  
Media Monitoring

scholarly journals Bypassing the Technocratic State in South Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-57
Author(s):  
James Flowers
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
The State ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Cultural Resources ◽  
Korean Medicine ◽  
Treatment Plans ◽  
Rapid Transmission

Abstract This article reveals an important, yet hidden, Korean response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that goes beyond the actions of the state. It focuses on the Korean medicine doctors who were excluded from any government-led public health or treatment plans for COVID-19. Bypassing the state, they used telehealth to provide herbal medicines to 20 percent of COVID-19 patients in South Korea. Traditional medicine doctors volunteered their services and financial resources to fill a gap in COVID-19 care. Most observers attribute Korean success in controlling COVID-19 to the leadership of the technocratic state with buy-in from the population. However, the case of Korea offers an example of bottom-up healthcare in a community where people chose their own native cultural resources and helps to explain how doctors were able to take the initiative to autonomously work with people in the community to help to stop the otherwise rapid transmission of the virus.

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