Warnings are necessary to take action

Many people have heard about the huge explosions in Tianjin, China. The explosions’ epicenter was a factory owned by Tianjin Dongjiang Port Rui Hai International Logistics and was a storehouse of various toxic chemicals. The explosions released a huge amount of lethal chemicals into the air and underground sewers.

However, the largest problem now is not the explosions. Focus has shifted from the event itself to the consequences that could potentially follow. Wind patterns and sea currents all indicate that toxic air and water could flow out of China. While that is a relief, sea currents and wind patterns also indicate that all these toxins could possibly arrive in Korea. A small dose of cyanide can instantly kill a single person, and several tons of the fatal substance have been released into both the sea and atmosphere.

The Korean government should start taking action to warn the public. While news of the explosions has shocked America, which is halfway across the world, the news in Korea, which is right next door, now largely consists of the scandal related to the DMZ incident and its consequences.

In the past weeks, only a few channels have talked about the Tianjin explosions, but otherwise, the Korean government seems relatively aloof. I think that the Korean government should put more effort into enlightening us about the explosions.

If the government finds even a slight trace of the toxins in either the air or water, it must warn us immediately so that we can take action. The Tianjin explosions were a horrifying event, but the future consequences that might come to Korea should be a major concern.

Park Jae-hong, Student at Korea International School