Japanese Prime Minister Links ROK Trade Restrictions to Lack of Trust in Enforcing North Korea Sanctions
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is really increasing his criticism of the Moon administration:
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday linked Tokyo’s economic retaliatory measures against Seoul with the implementation of North Korea sanctions – underscoring a lack of “trust” in South Korea.
Abe appeared to be sidestepping the real reason for his government’s restrictions on industrial exports to Korea – court rulings against Japanese companies found guilty of forcing Koreans to work for them during World War II – and suggesting an overarching problem with trust in Seoul that extends to security concerns.
One suggestion is that high-tech products made with Japanese materials may be making their way to North Korea.
Speaking on a televised debate ahead of upper house elections on Fuji TV, Abe said that South Korea “claims that it is abiding by sanctions on North Korea” and is also following the Wassenaar Arrangement, the first multilateral export control regime for conventional weapons and sensitive dual-use goods and technologies.
Abe went on to suggest that Seoul is not capable of fulfilling its commitment to implement sanctions on the North because it “clearly does not keep its promises and abide by the claims agreement between two countries” and “obviously will not properly abide by trade regulations.”
On the matter of his government’s new restrictions on exports of key industrial materials to Korea, Abe said that there was an “occurrence of an inappropriate matter,” and added, “you can’t trust what they say.”
Japan on Thursday implemented export restrictions to Korea on three key materials – fluorinated polyimide, hydrogen fluoride and photoresists – needed in the production of semiconductors and smartphones.
Joong Ang Ilbo
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As much as it pains me to side with the Japanese on anything, Abe is right.
Where the Koreans learned to lie, cheat, and steal is irrelevant. The fact is that Moon’s Minions are not behaving properly.
Moon can fix the whole thing, if he chooses; but I predict he won’t. Too much money aimed at presenting South Korea as a gift to Kim Fatty III before his COPD makes way for Kim Fatty IV.