'Japan's Retaliation Is Against Common Sense'

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yun-mo (second from the right) presides over a ministerial meeting to discuss how to deal with the Japanese government's decision to restrict chemical material exports to South Korea.

South Korean Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yun-mo said on July 1 that the Japanese government’s export restrictions targeting South Korea are an economic retaliation regarding the South Korean Supreme Court’s ruling on compensation for forced labor victims and are in violation of WTO rules. He also said that the South Korean government will file a suit with the WTO and handle the issue by international and domestic laws.

“The economic retaliation is against common sense and is prohibited in principle according to WTO rules,” he stressed, adding, “In addition, it is contradictory to the statement of the G20 meeting none other than Japan chaired last week.” The statement declared that G20 countries will make efforts for free and fair trade and investment environments that are nondiscriminatory, transparent, predictable and stable and will endeavor for further market opening.

“The South Korean government held a ministerial meeting this morning to watch the situation closely and work on countermeasures and the Japanese government’s measure will be dealt with by means of WTO litigation and international and domestic laws,” he went on to say.

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