politics

S Korea summons Japanese ambassador as export trade curbs take effect

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By Hyonhee Shin

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The irony of the photo: they had to purchase those Japanese products to protest those Japanese products. LOL!

28 ( +29 / -1 )

@Bugle Boy: Koreans are not importing almost any food from Japan anymore. They also want to boycott Tokyo Olympics, and they want to persuade other Countries to do the same, spreading their hysteria about Japan forcing foreigners to eat radioactive food everywhere, especially on YouTube. If they want to boycott Japanese Olympics, Japanese food, Japanese travels, Japanese animation, Japanese everything, it's their choice. But how they try to influence people from other Countries is really annoying. I am starting to find also on YouTube Italian videos about Japan, Korean people who are asking to the Italian people to stop using the rising sun flag and stuff like this. Do you know how annoying they look? Could they let other people alone? You can discuss about politics in newspapers like this. But Koreans bring their anti-Japanese propaganda literally EVERYWHERE, to force the others to hate Japan as much as they hate it.

25 ( +26 / -1 )

They may be holding an anti-Japan campaign contest. JT introduces us interesting pictures one after another. I am curious what will be next.

21 ( +21 / -0 )

I can see why South Korea is trying to choose China over the US. If you look at economic advantages only, it's clear why you should prefer China. Despite I am not a huge fan of American foreign policy, ultimately I understood better the fact that small Countries, sadly, can't be really indipendent. You must choose one side between the superpowers, and acting in a coherent manner. SK wants to have all. The current life style and relative safety and rights, thanks to pax Americana, but also all the economic advantages that you can have pandering to China. But you can't have all of them. This is the same problem that played a role in triggering Italian government crises. It's time for SK to choose which side supporting. You are not on the "Western side", just because you produce cheap pop music. South Koreans should learn this.

17 ( +19 / -2 )

@rgcivilian1: I saw that, scary. But apparently some media are trying to minimize the fact. Honestly, Japanese should be more interested in politics. How many Japanese women know about the current situation between Japan and SK? Is really this the best moment for a Japanese person for planning a travel to South Korea?! No matter if the Koreans say they have nothing against Japanese people. Objectively, they aren't protesting only against Japanese government, they are boycotting everything Japanese, hurting also private companies and the relationship between common people. You must be really naive to visit a Country where there are rallies against your own Country almost on daily basis. In this mood, the chance to find a guy that could assault you is obviously higher.

16 ( +18 / -2 )

It is not a retaliation of the judgment.

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/05/17/2019051701513.html

15 ( +17 / -2 )

South Korea is using this small trade issue to challenge the US. Indeed, attacking the trilateral sharing intelligent agreement hurt American interests in the region in the first place. The answers that South Korea adopted against this trade issue are obviously excessive.

Japan removed Korea from its trusted white list. That's all. But South Korea reaction was huge:

promoted anti-Japanese hysteria by media

this hysteria induced boycott of Japanese brands, travels, culture, with an impact on relationships also between civils

removal of Japan from their own white list (and this was the only reaction that could make sense)

erased a sharing intelligent agreement between US-SK-Japan, strongly wanted from Washington.

Plus, don't forget that South Koreans are always complaining about how much radioactive Japan is, so they should be actually happy to get less and less products from this Country.

The Korean government is obviously using this "trade issue" to get closer to China, you can think whatever you want but it's pretty obvious. These actions are not only against Japan, but against the geopolitical order that the US are trying to keep against a rising China. But to South Korean economy, that rising China has been too much important for their growth in the latest years.

15 ( +22 / -7 )

Ironic the media reports such things like the above yet many in SK are still buying Japanese products. What is surprising is why isn't JT reporting what was on the news this morning about the physical attack on a Japanese tourist by a SK man. The attack was intentional and yet JT is silent? Please give us the scoop but thankful for the above story.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

Did you see the pictures?

One of the worst disasters in Japan's history and they celebrate, use as a protest tool to bash Japan.

S. Korea had a boat accident with hundreds dead just a few years ago. Should we go as low as you Koreans and use that to protest Korea?

So low as always no bar low enough for some.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

@Bugle Boy: but you are free to eat or not whatever you want. I said I am tired to see Koreans trying to spread their anti-Japanese propaganda everywhere. Here in the EU we have different rules about import of food from Japan compared to South Korea, and we are following those, so we don't need Koreans being afraid for us.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

I read that after South Korea erased the trilater sharing agreement intelligence, American sources said this could put in bigger danger American military based in SK. So, American administration could ask to South Korea to pay 5 times more than what is paying currently for the American presence in SK. Obviously, this is a first American reaction to SK "rebellion". I believe it will be very interesting to see the next developments. This isn't only SK and Japan bickering, it's about Chinese influence on SK and how this is influencing the geopolitical order in the region.

14 ( +17 / -3 )

What is surprising is why isn't JT reporting what was on the news this morning about the physical attack on a Japanese tourist by a SK man. 

@rgcivilian notice who are writing these articles. They only write what they want us to know. Sounds like many Koreans are against violence toward Japanese tourists but no one seems to be doing anything about it legally. Sky's supreme court ordered it's ok to violate the 1965 agreement and disregard the reparations paid by Japan so what can we really expect from such a country?

14 ( +16 / -2 )

"We once again urge Japan to refrain from further worsening the situation and sincerely respond to our offer of dialogue to restore relations," Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon told the meeting.

What in the world? Sk is the one worsening the situation. JT needs to tell the writers to keep up with the event because sk is doing too much tit-for-tat activities. I thought they were telling Japan to have a conversation with them to end this lunacy. Is that a blackmail? It all started with sk's violation of 1965 agreement ordered by its supreme court. Fix that, if you want Japan to respond to you. Japan has been exporting materials to the confirmed companies. Sk needs to straighten up with the companies in the importing list with their identities and purposes of getting the material. Japan is not asking too much. It's common sense.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

Quote:  “demanding the tracking of the country of origin of Japanese food additives”

What, like monosodium glutamate from China for example?

12 ( +12 / -0 )

I wonder if countries like Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia which is not part of so called white list countries are crying like a baby for not be part of Japan's white list country.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

@oldman: the video about that attack is also on YouTube. By reading some Korean comments, many Korean people look more afraid about how this episode can ruin Korea image. In my opinion, Korea ruined its image for decades with all its anti-Japanese stuff everywhere. It's okay if they disagree with Japanese government, but how their citizens "protest" against Japan is really unnecessary and made this Country very uncomfortable to my eyes.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

@Bugle Boy: sure, like any other Country. And you are free to choose what you want to eat. But Korean effort also in social media to persuade the foreigners that all Japanese food is contaminated is only stupid and mean.

@Samit Basu: honestly, WTO decision was weird because they didn't give any detail about the reason why they agreed with SK request. Also this way, SK can follow her own rules, but other Countries have different rules about food import from Japan. So, why do Koreans need to spread obsessively their agenda everywhere?

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Fukushima prefecture has still its own problems with radiation, but one thing is speaking about them with rationality, another one is spreading misinformation everywhere politically and maliciously motivated. More than half Europe was influenced by Chernobyl, and if also today some Country used that event to feed some propaganda about European food being all unsafe that would be cruel. You must show with some data that the food is unsafe for real.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

 I said thank you and then tossed it after she left.

You could have given it to other Japanese.  I buy Fukushima produce especially peach because I know they are safe and delicious.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Until 1998 anything relate to Japanese culture was banned in South Korea. I don't know for sure, but the time to ban every type of Japanese culture is becoming real each time.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Every day Mr. Moon digs the hole deeper. South Korea seems to be stuck with past memories. The world is moving on. Come back when you get over it. Maybe North Korea will help.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

LOL! Look at this picture.

What is wrong with this nation?

By all means go on raising a generation hellbent on revenge and blaming others.

We all know that’s a great recipe for success.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

"We once again urge Japan to refrain from further worsening the situation and sincerely respond to our offer of dialogue to restore relations," Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon told the meeting.

 

*Korean way of claiming: Ignore all the counter-proofs and inconvenient truths and just repeat  *I alone am the world supported one

Result: Dialogue itself is impossible unless you can endure their hysteria

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Hyun-chong said South Korea may reverse a decision to scrap an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan if Tokyo corrected what he called "unjust measures".

"I want to stress the ball is in Japan's court," Kim told a news conference.

Ball is still in Korea's court. It's quite laughable that this moron thought GSOMIA is a card they could use against Japan.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

@TakCWAL: Yeah, pretty ironic. Seriously, I hope this time Japan won't be forced by the US to give up only for the sake of the trilateral alliance. I followed this geopolitical situation for years at this point and I know that Japan was always the one that had to pander to South Korea requests, if it was about new agreements, money or whatever. If you were interested in Japanese pop culture like me, you were dragged in South Korean hysteria even without wanting it. I remember when everyone was excited for the anime of Hetalia, a satirical comedy about history, and South Korea forced Japanese studio to censor the character representing Korea because it was offensive to them, despite every character, representing a Country, was totally idiot and hilarious. And this is only an example about how South Korea has been able to win everything it wanted from Japan, taking advantage of the fact that Japan accepted this submission for the sake of the alliance with the US. I hope this time will be different. SK must stop playing her anti-Japanese card or accept her own future under Chinese influence. Period.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

I agree with Alex80. The S. Korea president is making great effort to be more closed to China. But I don't think this choice will be good for Korea at all.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

No, no, no !! This story needs more background information.

Why do people keep glossing over the 2015 agreement that was scrapped?? Was it not final and irreversible??

Was that the action of an ally?

No! So why treat them like an ally?

8 ( +11 / -3 )

When would those Koreans, if who are not as heavily brainwashed at all as regular ethnic Korean posters here in JT wake up and see things as they are? Those young U-18 Japanese baseball team was about giving up to carry Japanese national frag ( NO it is not Rising-sun, but simple Japanese national flag) to join world U-18 baseball cup held in this ridiculous country called SK. Their uniform has no patch with Logo "Japan" but just plain and simple single color, as if no ones would know where they are from.

You know WHY? They said they don't want to provoke Korean people!!

If this situation is not insane, what is.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

South Korea wants to boycott Japanese goods, on the other hand complaining why Japan isn't trading with them.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

@Samit Basu: look, considering how everything related to Japan is treated in SK news, I don't think that proves something for sure. As I said, the EU follows her own rules and SK doesn't need to be afraid for the other Countries. ;)

7 ( +9 / -2 )

@Bugle Boy: when I said "sure, like any other Country", I meant to agree with your sentence about the fact Japan has had its problems.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

@TakCWAL: Exactly. Despite American efforts, South Koreans never saw Japan as an ally, and this farce should end.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Hyun-chong said South Korea may reverse a decision to scrap an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan if Tokyo corrected what he called "unjust measures".

"I want to stress the ball is in Japan's court," Kim told a news conference.

South Korea's vice foreign minister Cho Se-young called in Japan's ambassador Yasumasa Nagamine to lodge a formal complaint and demand that the "white list" decision be reversed, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

"Cho pointed out that the measure was clear retaliation for the court ruling and posed a grave challenge that shook the foundation of the two countries' cooperative relations," the ministry said in a statement.

What imbeciles. NOW you people are whining about this being in Japan's court? Where were you people months and years ago when Japan tried repeatedly to formally deal with the export violations and trade issues? You people repeatedly ignored Japan, and now you whine like little kids when Japan rightfully took measures?

As for the assault on the Japanese female by a male South Korean, I will add that scores of South Koreans denounced that attack. It was a weird random incident, where the male tried to talk to the lady, and when she ignored him, he grabbed her hair violently.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Do these fools really think they can hurt Japan by boycotting a few consumer goods? Ridiculous. There has never been a bigger demand around the world for Japanese exports, and the Japanese Quality there famous for.

Japanese produce and fish has stricter safety levels and more testing than ANY nation. No one will believe them lying South Koreans, they cant be trusted. It is now clear: Almost ALL Koreans have a hatred of Japanese.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Folks, this is why they really protest

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190826000321

"This means that nearly 1 in 4 young Koreans have been out of work." ... OUCH

When time is the only thing this many young people have, its no wonder they protest all day for whatever reasons, heck they probably even get free meals from their daddy prez.

now to sprinkle some more salt on its wound, going forward, I can see Japanese companies will hire more and more Chinese and Indians, who, by the way, are smarter than koreans.

Imagine you lead your country to a ditch of nowhere to go. Sorry I need go laugh a bit bwahahah

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Yes, it's not on the blacklist yet but it is offended that it is in the same class as all the "dirty Asian" countries now.

FYI, that is not me making a racist comment. It's Korean saying.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Samit Basu

"Yes WTO can, there are several established precedences banning all forms of export control except in cases of war or near war situations."

Reviews the case where WTO against export controlled. This case is difference as there are neither export quotas or embargo of goods. SK can purchase just as any other countries that are not on the whitelist, just that they don't have more expedited paper work approval. Tell me then, base on what ground does SK have a case in this? Does it mean everybody can just bring Japan or any countries to WTO and demand to have preferential treatments on goods they purchase from?

it doesn't make sense when you bring up SK won 6-0 from disputes with JP. What does it have to do with this? does it make SK right? heck no, a country with $28k per capita gdp still declaring itself as developing in order to get preferential treatments on trade is never rightful in my book.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Ridiculous peakocking.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

As a Japanese person, I was not even aware of the so called list of white countries until this issue started to emerge. To think that S. Korea was originally included in that list is outrageous considering the anti-Japanese doctrine and propaganda that dominates the whole nation from the government, media to the general public. S. Korean kids are taught to hate Japan, and when they grow up and move abroad to study/work etc. they try to spread their hate to their host countries. I live in the UK and I have heard many stories where Korean students where harassing some businesses such as sushi/bento restaurants for using rising sun flag. One of my mates also told me that his Korean flatmate was constantly telling him how Japan is such a bad and evil country etc.

Japan has been too nice to S. Korea, however that country took that kindness for granted and as a sign of weakness and appeasement, and that encouraged them to keep spitting on Japan's face. Japan should learn from China on how to treat S. Korea. S. Korea was a tributary state of China for more than 1,000 years (and it looks like they are wishing to restore that status now without realising), and China treats S. Korea as such. China has inflicted more misery to Korea than any other countries in modern Korean history. If the Chinese had not participated in Korean war supporting North Korea, there would be no North Korea, and the whole peninsula would have been unified under the S. Korean government.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

S Korea summons Japanese ambassador as export trade curbs take effect

Huh. I've seen a lot of this type of behaviour from China actually. They used to protest any time Japan made even a slight increase in defence spending. They used to protest any time Japan used the name "Senkaku" when referring to the islands that China claims. Heck, they seem to protest pretty much any time Japan sneezes, and now South Korea is doing the same thing? It's okay for South Korea to go back on the 1965 treaty but it's not okay for Japan to feel betrayed by that? It's okay for South Korea to end its intellgience sharing pact with Japan but it's not okay for Japan to remove South Korea from its trade white list?

This is selfish, petty and grossly immature.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Samit BasuToday  07:34 am JST

@Vdude83

Tell me then, base on what ground does SK have a case in this?

WTO rule prohibits artificial export control.

Korea never lost a WTO case against Japan, and this case is considered "easy" in Korea due to WTO precedences banning export controls with the exception of war or near-war like situations, ie Russia-Ukraine.

Read Justified exceptions GATT 21 once again and learn.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

"Then why do Koreans continue to detect excessive level of radiation from non-Fukushima seafood?

No one will believe them lying South Koreans

WTO believed the Koreans over the Japanese and sided with the Koreans, and ruled that Korea can continue to ban Fukushima food."

so, besides S Korea, which other countries also return the food to Japan?

just to let you know, WTO has no merit in this decision. Why, it handles trade related mater, which it can't demand country A to import goods from counry B regardless of whether those are in line with the standard requirment in country A or not. It regulates if country A, for no apparent reasons, put up hig tariff barrier on goods import from country B or put an embargo on counry A. WTO simply let S Korea do the work, if you find something not up to your standard, you can return or not import from, purely business decision. If S Korea wants to convince others that those are unsafe, they should consult with WHO instead, yet they chose not to.

On the other hand, when Japan decided to remove them from the white list, WTO can't demand Japan to veto the plan, simply since there is no embargo (SK can buy, just take longer) or tariff barrier, WTO will have to go along and say somthing like hoping Japan to reconsider.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

WTO rule prohibits artificial export control.

As opposed natural export control?Lol.

All Japan has to do is to show how incompetent Korea were in export controls and was not up to the standards set by Japan. Three years of refusing Japanese requests won’t help. 156 export violations won’t help. Removing Japan off of their white list would certainly make them look like a biggest hypocrite.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

dougthehead13Today  01:18 am JST

What began as a purely labor problem between workers enslaved by Mitsubishi and other Japanese companies more than 70 years ago. Whose solution could have been solved by exclusively labor means, within the business environment. Without any political or governmental intervention. This problem would have been solved silently without the need for any kind of scandal.

You are grossly mistaken on this point. Japan's position is that this issue has already been concluded under the 1965 Treaty. South Korea obviously thinks otherwise as their government stood by and let their Court make a ruling which contradicts this view. The same 1965 Treaty calls for Arbitration if there is any difference in interpretation, which there clearly is. Japan has requested Arbitration and South Korea has refused. South Korea could have complied with tje 1965 Treaty and agreed to Arbitration. Instead they've done everything possible to make matters worse.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

A senior State Department official said on Tuesday that Washington hopes the dispute has hit "rock bottom" and the neighbors will start to rebuild their relationship.

Has it hit rock bottom yet?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

minions! = stupid

2 ( +2 / -0 )

These poor kids probably don't have a job, what with their youth unemployment on the rise.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This problem between Japan and South Korea is getting completely out of hand. And the worst thing is that both countries are guilty. It's the typical snowball that slides down the mountain getting bigger and bigger.

What began as a purely labor problem between workers enslaved by Mitsubishi and other Japanese companies more than 70 years ago. Whose solution could have been solved by exclusively labor means, within the business environment. Without any political or governmental intervention. This problem would have been solved silently without the need for any kind of scandal.

But as much as Moon and Abe are playing a very dangerous game. That can have catastrophic economic consequences. And more now with the current world situation. Which is the most dangerous in decades. Basically with the arrival of Trump to power.

The worst of all is as you can see. Ultra-nationalism is only being unleashed in South Korea. Where there are massive anti-Japanese demonstrations. Unlike the Japanese side. Where people make normal life without any kind of manifestation. That already indicates that the Japanese people are not ultra-nationalist. And they have a more realistic mentality. In this case, Abe is failing to imitate Moon's attitude when it comes to getting people out on the streets.

This situation will get worse if sanity doesn't arrive in time. And in this case. South Korea is provoking this problem even more. They are promoting an unnecessary hatred of Japan.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

How did the summoning go? Formula worked?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

quercetumAug. 29  12:30 pm JST

Has it hit rock bottom yet?

Hell no, it has a long way to go and, like damnation, it's for eternity too.

The problem is, you now have 3 generations brought up on all the propaganda and so you'll have to wait for them to die off.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Japanese produce and fish has stricter safety levels and more testing than ANY nation.

lol

I love Japan, but I'm not blindly in love. Japan has had it's problems.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

WesleyAug. 28  04:33 pm JST

The irony of the photo: they had to purchase those Japanese products to protest those Japanese products. LOL!

They were most likely bought before the ban and stores stopped selling them. You could find them in dumpsters all over South Korea now.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

@Vdude83

Tell me then, base on what ground does SK have a case in this?

WTO rule prohibits artificial export control.

What does it have to do with this?

Korea never lost a WTO case against Japan, and this case is considered "easy" in Korea due to WTO precedences banning export controls with the exception of war or near-war like situations, ie Russia-Ukraine.

To win the WTO case, Japan actually has to have a shooting war with Korea in order to justify the current export control.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

ken1911jp

It is not a retaliation of the judgment.

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/05/17/2019051701513.html

Sure, Chosun Ilbo is pro-Japan and known for their fake news.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

S. Korea had a boat accident with hundreds dead just a few years ago. Should we go as low as you Koreans and use that to protest Korea?

I wouldn't be surprised if someone did. Anyway, I'm not advocating making fun of anyone for a disaster they may have experienced. Just saying that to be upset about potentially poisoned food and not wanting to import it is normal and reasonable.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Why would anyone buy food from Tohoku-other countries won’t yet the Japanese are expected to....very strange?

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

@Ganbare Japan!

Japanese produce and fish has stricter safety levels

Then why do Koreans continue to detect excessive level of radiation from non-Fukushima seafood?

No one will believe them lying South Koreans

WTO believed the Koreans over the Japanese and sided with the Koreans, and ruled that Korea can continue to ban Fukushima food.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

3 bows.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

@Vdudd83

WTO can't demand Japan to veto the plan

Yes WTO can, there are several established precedences banning all forms of export control except in cases of war or near war situations.

This is why Korea is scheduled to formally charge Japan for WTO prohibition against export control and is expected to win. After all, Korea NEVER lost a case against Japan in WTO disputes, 6:0 to date.

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

@Alex80

Fukushima prefecture has still its own problems with radiation, but one thing is speaking about them with rationality

Korea shipped back 5 tons of "non-Fukushima" seafood from Japan due to excessive radiation detection so far this year.

Imagine what seafood from Fukushima will be like then. Seafood from Japan is not safe.

-13 ( +3 / -16 )

Can't blame anyone for wanting to eat food that doesn't glow from radiation.

-14 ( +4 / -18 )

But Koreans bring their anti-Japanese propaganda literally EVERYWHERE, to force the others to hate Japan as much as they hate it.

Alex80, I agree that Koreans often hate on Japan for the sake of hating on Japan. But I still think that nobody would willingly and happily eat irradiated food. I love Japan, and I have a student from Fukushima. She recently brought me some food from Fukushima as a souvenir after her visit back home (she lived in the disaster area). I said thank you and then tossed it after she left.

I love Japan and the Japanese people. I'm just not so excited about radiation. Call me weird.

-15 ( +3 / -18 )

I'm not supporting this farce and believe both countries are at fault. However, in reference to that photo, I too would like to see more transparency in Japanese food stuffs. I tend to go out of my way to buy imported goods. This is because of all the food mislabeling scandals in Japan. At least if it is imported I know where it comes from.

-20 ( +6 / -26 )

Ouch.

Wesley: "The irony of the photo: they had to purchase those Japanese products to protest those Japanese products. LOL!"

That's like saying it's ironic a shop had to buy plastic models of ramen to display them as ramen. Never heard of symbols? Anyway, clearly even the symbolism hurts the wannabe victims here. Seeing the people in hazmat suits while full well knowing Fukushima is the second worst nuclear disaster in history cannot sit pretty with some.

-25 ( +8 / -33 )

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