8개 현에서 나오는 모든 수산물의 수입을 지난달 9일부터 금지했다.
이에 대해 일본 정부는 방사성 물질 함유량에 대한 국제적 기준을 충족한 수산물만 출하하고 있다면서 한국의 수입금지 조치에 과학적인 근거가 부족한 만큼 철회해야 한다는 입장을 보이고 있다.
코리아헤럴드 배현정 기자 (tellme@heraldcorp.com)
<관련 영문 기사>
Japan to file complaint to WTO for Korea’s fish import ban
Japan is to file a complaint to the World Trade Organization on Korea for placing a partial ban on Japanese fishery products, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NKH on Saturday.
The Japanese government is planning to share its disgruntlement during the WTO meeting as “Korea’s ban on fishery products from Fukushima and neighboring prefectures is baseless and thus should be called off,” according to the broadcaster. The WTO general meeting is slated to be held in Geneva on Oct. 16-17.
Sankei Sinbum, a prominent daily, also reported earlier that the Japanese government is considering filing a suit to the WTO against the Korean counterpart for its allegedly harsh trade ban policy.
Such stern responses of the Japanese administration is largely seen as a means to press Korea to take back its all-out import ban.
Last month, the Korean Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries prohibited the import of all fishery products from Fukushima and seven neighboring prefectures, reflecting the anxiety of the local community over the recent radiation-contaminated water leak from one of the Fukushima nuclear plants.
The Japanese government, however, lashed back at this measure and claimed that all export items were in accord with the international standard on nuclear safety.
By Bae Hyun-jung and news repors (tellme@heraldcorp.com)
