문 대통령, 대기업 총수들 만남 검토…日 수출규제 논의 주목
Amid escalating trade tensions between South Korea and Japan triggered by Tokyo's export curbs,... President Moon Jae-in seems set to take a leading role in drawing up countermeasures.
He will meet with the heads of local business giants next week.
Park Hee-jun starts us off.
South Korea's presidential office is arranging a meeting next Wednesday,... between President Moon Jae-in and conglomerate heads,... believed to involve discussions on Japan's export curb of high-tech materials to Korea.
Numerous local reports say, the face-to-face involves the president and 30 major South Korean companies.
Among them,... the leaders of Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Group, SK Group, LG Group, and Lotte Group.
The top office is said to have notified the companies of the planned meeting,... and asked whether they could attend.
But a high-ranking official at the Blue House had earlier told reporters... that nothing has been confirmed yet.
If it does take place, it will be President Moon's first meeting with major companies since back in January.
The meeting's agenda is still under the veil,... but it's widely viewed to be finding countermeasures to Japan's export restrictions.
The government has repeatedly said it will closely coordinate with local firms to minimize the damage caused by Japan's new export controls.
Prior to that meeting,... finance minister Hong Nam-ki, and presidential chief of staff for policy Kim Sang-jo... are expected to meet with the five conglomerates on Sunday.
Earlier in the week, deputy chief of the National Security Office, Kim Hyun-chong and Kim Sang-jo,... also met with the leaders of Samsung Electronics, including Vice Chairman Kim Ki-nam,... who oversees the tech giant's semiconductor and display businesses.
No direct messages or instructions on the matter have been revealed by President Moon since the announcement of the export controls.
But this issue is expected to be raised by the president,... during a meeting with his top aides next Monday.
"President Moon's presence in efforts to find solutions to Japan's restrictions,... shows the government recognizes the severity of the situation. The president is expected to listen to the difficulties major businesses are facing,... and exchange ideas on possible countermeasures. Park Hee-jun, Arirang News."
