Our top story this morning...
President Moon Jae-in has weighed in publicly for the first time on Japan's aggressive new trade restrictions against South Korea.
He urged Japan on Monday to drop the measures,... and settle the dispute through negotiations.
And, importantly, he vowed to spare no effort to support the South Korean tech companies that'll be most affected.
Our Park Hee-jun has more.
President Moon Jae-in has demanded that Japan calls off its latest trade restrictions,... in his first public remarks since the announcement of the export curbs.
"I urge the withdrawal of Japan's measures and for bilateral negotiations. I hope we can return to the international community's belief that trade should be a tool for co-prosperity and Japan's principle of free trade."
President Moon's meeting with his top aides on Monday comes at a time of troubled bilateral relations,... stemming from Japan's new set of export controls on key materials bound for South Korea for making chips and smartphone displays.
President Moon said he will try to resolve the dispute calmly in a diplomatic manner.
But he made it clear that he will not stand back while Korean companies suffer the consequences.
He promised to draw up short-term solutions to minimize the damage,... while working to remove the deep-rooted structural economic vulnerabilities in the long-term.
"The most important thing in this unprecedented emergency situation is close cooperation between the government and businesses. Cheong Wa Dae and all related ministries need to be at the forefront of listening to the difficulties companies are facing, discussing solutions and providing all necessary support."
And to do that,... President Moon is planning a meeting with the executives of 30 major South Korean companies on Wednesday.
Taking the lead in dealing with the issue,... the president is expected to exchange ideas on possible solutions.
"And learning from the bilateral trade dispute,... President Moon says he will use this lesson to solve the structural problems in the Korean economy. He emphasized the need to improve the quality of Korean-made components,... which should lessen South Korea's dependence on imports. Park Hee-jun, Arirang News."
