The South Korean government is reportedly contemplating a significant increase in tariffs on seafood imported from Japan, with proposed duties expected to rise above the 24% rate established as part of the ‘Liberation Day’ measures introduced in April. This move marks a potential escalation in trade tensions between the two neighboring nations, which have a longstanding history of economic and diplomatic friction.
The increased tariff could serve as a response to growing public concern in South Korea regarding food safety, particularly after Japan began releasing treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean—a move that has attracted international criticism and fueled consumer anxiety in South Korea.
The previous tariffs imposed in April were part of a broader effort to assert economic independence and reinforce national sentiment tied to South Korea’s Liberation Day, a holiday commemorating the end of Japanese colonial rule in 1945. Those measures included a 24% tariff on select seafood products from Japan, with some categories also facing import restrictions.
South Korean officials have not confirmed the exact timeline or scope of the potential new tariffs, but they are reportedly under active review amid ongoing public and political pressure. Meanwhile, Japanese authorities have expressed concern over what they characterize as unjustified trade barriers, arguing that their seafood products meet international safety standards.
This trade measure, if enacted, may further strain Japan-South Korea relations, which have seen periodic cooperation interrupted by disputes over historical issues, export controls, and now, food safety concerns. Economists warn that while the move might address domestic political demands, it could also disrupt supply chains and affect regional trade dynamics.
Further announcements are expected from South Korea’s trade ministry in the coming weeks as the government continues its internal review and consults with industry stakeholders.
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