Appeal to Discriminations
The Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy of South Korea holds a task force meeting on March 7 in order to minimize the negative effect of China’s trade retaliation following the South Korean government’s decision to accept THAAD deployment in South Korea.
On February 27, Minister of Trade, Industry & Energy Joo Hyung-hwan sent a letter to the Ministry of Commerce of China. In the letter, he proposed a meeting in the near future so that the strategic partnership between the two countries can be strengthened based on further development of their FTA. On March 3, he asked the Ministry of Commerce, which is in charge of protection of foreign investment companies in China, to protect South Korean companies investing in China from the political repercussions, via the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.
“The trade retaliation by China is a worrisome issue and the South Korean government is going to keep monitoring the situation and make the most of its resources so that South Korean companies and industries do not suffer from discrimination,” he explained, adding, “At the same time, the government will respond to measures in violation of international rules by means of procedures in compliance with international law.”
In the meantime, the Liaoning Entry-exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of the People's Republic of China refused to pass tons of South Korean food products through customs on March 4, claiming that the products failed to meet certain standard requirements.