S. Korean consultation body vows all-out efforts to help resolve Seoul-Tokyo trade dispute

2019-07-31 1

민관정협의회 첫 회의…소재부품산업 경쟁력 강화 총력대응

South Korea has launched a new consultation body made up of lawmakers, government officials and representatives of the private sector to deal with Japan's growing restrictions on trade with South Korea.
After a closed-door meeting on Wednesday,... Seoul's finance minister Hong Nam-ki, who's the body's co-leader,... said that they're preparing measures for all possible scenarios,... especially with Tokyo getting ready to expand its trade restrictions on Seoul.
Hong said that the participants agreed that first and foremost is to minimize the impact on local companies
They promised to come up with both long-term and short-term plans to boost the competitiveness of South Korea's parts and materials industries.... and to promote localization.
He also stressed the need to seek a diplomatic solution,... which will include boosting cooperation from the international community.