China and North Korea have criticized Japan at a United Nations Security Council meeting for its release of treated and diluted water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. Japan rejected their claims, and demanded that they base their statements on scientific evidence.

The emergency meeting on Friday was called to condemn North Korea's failed attempt to launch a military reconnaissance satellite.

The North's Ambassador to the UN Kim Song repeated his country's position that the launch is an exercise of "legitimate rights" to safeguard national sovereignty and security interests.

Referring to the water discharge, he said the Security Council should denounce what he called "Japan's heinous crime against humanity," which is jeopardizing the safety and security of all people and the marine ecological environment.

Japanese Ambassador to the UN Ishikane Kimihiro responded that any allegations that lack scientific evidence cannot be accepted.

China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, joined North Korea in criticizing Japan, saying he wanted to explain Beijing's position on this occasion.

The North Korean envoy then sought to speak again and called for the suspension of the water release.

Ishikane subsequently explained that the water is mixed with large amounts of seawater and diluted to reduce levels of tritium, a radioactive substance.

The final tritium level is about one-seventh the amount allowed by World Health Organization guidelines for safe drinking water.