Cutting S. Korea from trade white list is another violation of GATT: S. Korean official

Summary

South Korea is challenging Japan's export restrictions at a World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Geneva. Deputy Minister Kim Sun-ah will argue that Japan's actions violate WTO regulations, particularly the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the most favored nation rule. South Korea seeks support from other WTO members to pressure Japan, while Trade Ministry official Yom Yom will also visit Washington to discuss the issue with U.S. officials. Tensions between the two countries are expected to rise as the international community’s response remains uncertain.

Takeaways

• 😀 One of the World Trade Organization's highest decision-making bodies will discuss Japan's export restrictions on South Korea, following a request from the South Korean government.
• 😀 South Korea's Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Legal Affairs, Kim Sun-ah, will attend the meeting in Geneva on Tuesday, with a focus on Japan's trade practices.
• 😀 Kim Sun-ah states that Japan's export curbs already violate WTO regulations, and further actions, such as removing South Korea from Tokyo's trade whitelist, would violate global trade rules.
• 😀 The WTO's General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Article 11 prohibits member countries from imposing restrictions on exports, which South Korea argues Japan is violating.
• 😀 South Korea is expected to argue that Japan's decision to take South Korea off its trade whitelist violates the 'Most Favored Nation' rule, ensuring equal treatment among WTO members.
• 😀 The WTO Council, consisting of representatives from 164 countries, serves as the top decision-making body, aside from the biennial ministerial-level conference.
• 😀 South Korea aims to garner support from other countries in order to increase pressure on Japan regarding the export restrictions.
• 😀 South Korea's Trade Minister, Yom Yom-hee, is visiting Washington this week to meet with U.S. officials and Congress members to highlight the unfairness of Japan's export curbs.
• 😀 The international community's response to Seoul's position and Tokyo's actions in the Geneva discussions remains uncertain, with tensions expected to rise.
• 😀 The discussions in Geneva are expected to be tense, as both Seoul and Tokyo present their arguments concerning the trade dispute.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the story discussed in the transcript?

The main topic is the South Korean government's request for the World Trade Organization (WTO) to discuss Japan's export curbs on South Korea, with a focus on Japan's actions potentially violating WTO regulations.

Who from South Korea is attending the WTO meeting in Geneva?

South Korea's Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Legal Affairs, Kim Sun-ah, is attending the WTO meeting in Geneva.

What is the reason behind South Korea’s request to the WTO?

South Korea's request is based on the argument that Japan's export restrictions violate WTO rules, particularly Article 11 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which prohibits export restrictions.

What does Article 11 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) prohibit?

Article 11 of GATT prohibits WTO member countries from imposing restrictions on exports.

What is the issue regarding Japan's move to remove South Korea from its trade whitelist?

South Korea argues that Japan's decision to remove it from its trade whitelist violates the Most Favored Nation (MFN) rule, which is meant to ensure equal treatment for all WTO members.

What does the Most Favored Nation (MFN) rule ensure?

The MFN rule ensures that all WTO member countries receive equal treatment, meaning that any favorable trade conditions extended to one country must be extended to all members.

What role does the WTO Council play in resolving disputes like this one?

The WTO Council, composed of representatives from 164 countries, acts as a major decision-making body and helps resolve trade disputes, aside from the ministerial-level conferences held every two years.

What is South Korea’s strategy to gain international support for its stance?

South Korea aims to win support from other countries in the WTO to apply pressure on Japan and highlight the perceived unfairness of Japan’s export restrictions.

What is the purpose of South Korea’s Deputy Minister’s visit to Washington?

The Deputy Minister of South Korea's trade ministry, Yom Yom, is visiting Washington to meet with US government officials and congress members to discuss the unfairness of Japan’s export restrictions.

What kind of reaction is expected from the international community regarding the dispute?

It remains to be seen how the international community will react to South Korea's arguments against Japan’s export restrictions, especially in the tense context of the WTO meeting in Geneva.