문 대통령, "외교적 해결에 일본 정부 화답해야,... 민관 비상체제 필요"
President Moon Jae-in has called on Japan to end what he called its "politically motivated" export curbs.
Meeting with around 30 Korean business leaders today, he said the government is doing its best to settle the issue diplomatically,... but also called for new measures to make South Korea more self-sufficient.
Kim Mok-yeon reports.
President Moon Jae-in held his first face-to-face meeting with the heads of 34 local business conglomerates... since Japan announced new export curbs targeting South Korea earlier this month.
The President's stance on resolving the issue remains unchanged.
"The government is doing its best to arrive at a diplomatic solution. I hope the Japanese government will respond. I hope it does not lead to a dead-end."
The President added that such a move is never desirable... given the two countries' long-established ties and security cooperation,... and said it will only serve to harm both economies.
The President at the same time acknowledged the possibility... that the situation could extend into the long-term... and called for necessary preparations.
That includes a public-private emergency response system... that would allow the government and businesses to better coordinate their actions.
The President also proposed measures to make South Korea more self-sufficient and less reliant on high-technology imports.
"We should take this opportunity to upgrade our core industries' use of domestic technology, components and materials and lower their level of reliance on foreign countries."
As for short- term measures,... the President promised to provide more support to expand domestic production of the restricted items and diversify their sources,... to help minimize damages to local firms.
The President added that the budget necessary to fund R&D efforts will be reflected in the government's extra budget bill at the National Assembly.
In regards to Japanese politician's remarks,... that said hydrogen fluoride exports to South Korea had made its way illegally into North Korea,... the President said the suspicions are groundless and said Japan should refrain from making further claims. Shin Se-min, Arirang News.
