Japanese octopus. (Photo: Beth/CC BY 2.0)
South Korea will appeal WTO decision on Japanese seafood import ban
SOUTH KOREA
Friday, February 23, 2018, 22:50 (GMT + 9)
The South Korean Government announced it will appeal the World Trade Organization's (WTO) decision against bans on imports of Japanese seafood imposed after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011.
Following the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility in March 2011, South Korea banned some types of seafood from Fukushima and seven other Japanese prefectures, and enacted additional testing requirements. Seoul then instituted a blanket ban on the same prefectures, which started in September 2013.
Japan argued the moves were excessive and unfair, so the country lodged a complaint with the WTO in 2015.
WTO accepted Japan's complaint, arguing that South Korea's policies violated the t rules, were discriminatory and served as a trade barrier.
A WTO report issued on Thursday says that the measures adopted by South Korea are inconsistent with WTO rules not to "arbitrarily or unjustifiably discriminate" against another member country. The document also said the import ban "is more trade restrictive than required."
The South Korean government explained that it will appeal that decision for the purpose of protecting public health and safety, and said it will maintain existing regulations on imports of Japanese fishery products.
Japan's minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ken Saito, said the appeal was regrettable and urged South Korea to abide by the decision and discard its current practices.
"Japan will respond accordingly so that our position will be accepted by the Appellate Body as well. We will also call on South Korea to sincerely and promptly correct their (import ban) measures," Saito said.
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