What Role Do I Play in Japan’s and South Korea’s Trade War?
by Caroline Jung
In July 2019, tensions between South Korea and Japan heightened when Japan announced they would tighten control of exports of three critical chemicals for semiconductors to South Korea, a country of prominent semiconductor companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Ever since, what is called an economic trade war has started between the two countries during an already tense atmosphere between China and the US. The situation is so complicated that there are debates about the causes of the countries’ decisions. Just look at the YouTube comments under multiple videos explaining the situation. There are so many arguments and opinions that overwhelm and confuse many people that even CSIS (Center for Strategic & International Studies) compiled a timeline in an attempt to organize and clarify the situation (check it out for more specifics). But even so, the events are confusing. And I too, a Korean American, am not sure of the role I play in this current trade war. Here’s why.
Other than getting the facts straight, I’m not sure what the “right decision” is. It seems like no one does. Or, every country has their own right decision, but I don’t fit in with just one country. My ethnicity is Korean, and South Korea has had unsettling history with Japan, especially tensed after the Japanese occupation of Korea in 1910. But I am also American, and America has had stable relations with Japan after the late 20th century along with a stable relation with South Korea. Japan even comes in fourth in terms of America’s top trading partner in goods according to an October 2019 statistic from the US Census Bureau.
In America, where I live, Japanese stationery, clothes, and foods are extremely popular. And I am a part of it. I do recognize the quality of mildliner highlighters, I have Uniqlo clothes, and just a few days ago, I enjoyed eating at a Japanese hibachi restaurant. But at the same time, in Korea, there’s a boycott against Japanese goods and companies. And in respect for my ancestors, I stray away from Japanese goods when I can. But I question it. Should I be fully participating in the boycott for my culture and family roots? Or should I just enjoy what Japanese companies have to offer in America?
This struggle has always been a part of my life, not just these past few months. My family, in an attempt to explain Korean history to me, reminds me of the comfort women and atrocities committed by Japan in the early 20th century, claiming most Koreans still haven’t forgotten nor forgiven Japan despite diplomatic efforts between the two countries. My society, however, seems to monopolize popular Japanese products over similar Korean products. Whenever I finally find quality planners or stationery, there are more Japanese picks than Korean ones—there’s only one product from Korea while the rest is from Japan. And sometimes, I do buy Japanese products for their quality. But deep in my heart, I feel guilty for being a part of the ongoing pain in Korean history. Yet, I’ve brushed off this feeling for 16 years.
The past few years, however, as I’ve started to understand world relations, I’ve also been confused about cultural identity at the same time. This year, particularly because of the trade war, I’ve been more confused as ever. It has gotten me to think, if Korea and Japan launched themselves in a war while maintaining their diplomatic relations with America, what would I do? Or, at least, what would be the right thing to do?
For more information:
ABC (Australian) News Explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIhDE4A5oeI
Al Jazeera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po4CbciGSuY
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (untranslated): https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2019/07/20190701006/20190701006.html