Ministers Kang and Kono have war of words over trade dispute at ASEAN Plus Three meeting
- 5 years ago
Over in Thailand,... Seoul's foreign affairs minister Kang Kyung-wha is taking part in the ASEAN plus three foreign ministers meeting along with her Japanese and Chinese counterparts.
For more, we connect to our foreign affairs correspondent Lee Ji-won who is in Bangkok reporting live for us.
Ji-won tell us more.
Jiyoon. The war of words between Seoul and Tokyo continued here in Thailand.
In the opening remarks by Minister Kang at the ASEAN plus three meeting just now, she emphasized how free trade must be maintained for the co-prosperity and stability of the region.
She also specifically mentioned Japan's decision this morning to remove South Korea from the whitelist of countries with preferential trade conditions, saying how Seoul expresses grave concerns over the move.
She said nonetheless, they should not be deterred in their collective efforts to expand free trade and non-discriminatory trade in the region.
To this Minister Kono said, in his opening remarks that he does not understand Kang's complaints as Japan has never had such a complaint from the ASEAN member states on their export management issues.
He also said he does not know what the source of the complaint from South Korea is as it is Japan's responsibility to maintain effective export controls over sensitive goods and technology.
Now Ji-won, we know Minister Kang will be expressing such concerns throughout the day? And that she also has a meeting scheduled with Kono?
Yes. Minister Kang will be having a sitdown with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the afternoon, followed by a trilateral one with Minister Kono.
Pompeo said that he will mediate between the two countries and help them find a path forward,... when he was en route to Bangkok a few days ago,... but with Japan removing Seoul from its list of trusted trading partners,... whether or not the topic will even be discussed at the meeting remains to be seen.
Now Minister Kang has her day fully packed with other ministerial meetings including the ASEAN Regional Forum.
The ARF is where all the 10 ASEAN ministers and their 10 dialogue partners will participate. We're expecting to see North Korea's ambassador to Thailand Kim Je-bong appear at this meeting as well.
Kang's main focus in these talks is also expected to be Seoul's stance on Japan's export controls and highlighting that the spirit of free trade must not be hindered,... if they want to ensure regional co-prosperity.
I will bring you more updates throughout the day, once the details are out.
For more, we connect to our foreign affairs correspondent Lee Ji-won who is in Bangkok reporting live for us.
Ji-won tell us more.
Jiyoon. The war of words between Seoul and Tokyo continued here in Thailand.
In the opening remarks by Minister Kang at the ASEAN plus three meeting just now, she emphasized how free trade must be maintained for the co-prosperity and stability of the region.
She also specifically mentioned Japan's decision this morning to remove South Korea from the whitelist of countries with preferential trade conditions, saying how Seoul expresses grave concerns over the move.
She said nonetheless, they should not be deterred in their collective efforts to expand free trade and non-discriminatory trade in the region.
To this Minister Kono said, in his opening remarks that he does not understand Kang's complaints as Japan has never had such a complaint from the ASEAN member states on their export management issues.
He also said he does not know what the source of the complaint from South Korea is as it is Japan's responsibility to maintain effective export controls over sensitive goods and technology.
Now Ji-won, we know Minister Kang will be expressing such concerns throughout the day? And that she also has a meeting scheduled with Kono?
Yes. Minister Kang will be having a sitdown with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the afternoon, followed by a trilateral one with Minister Kono.
Pompeo said that he will mediate between the two countries and help them find a path forward,... when he was en route to Bangkok a few days ago,... but with Japan removing Seoul from its list of trusted trading partners,... whether or not the topic will even be discussed at the meeting remains to be seen.
Now Minister Kang has her day fully packed with other ministerial meetings including the ASEAN Regional Forum.
The ARF is where all the 10 ASEAN ministers and their 10 dialogue partners will participate. We're expecting to see North Korea's ambassador to Thailand Kim Je-bong appear at this meeting as well.
Kang's main focus in these talks is also expected to be Seoul's stance on Japan's export controls and highlighting that the spirit of free trade must not be hindered,... if they want to ensure regional co-prosperity.
I will bring you more updates throughout the day, once the details are out.