"Japan Disregards Basic Courtesy and Consideration... Opposition to Mask Support Emerges in Blue House Petition"

Government: "No Discussions on Mask Support Policy for the US and Japan"

On the 20th, a petition titled "Government, Oppose Support for Japan When Providing Masks to US, Japan, and South Korea Korean War Participating Countries" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. Photo by Blue House National Petition Board capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Amid reports that the government instructed to consider providing masks to the United States and Japan, a petition opposing support for Japan was posted. The government firmly denied having discussed any plans to support masks or ease export restrictions.

On the 20th, a petition titled "Government, Oppose Mask Support to Japan among Korean War Participating Countries such as the US and Japan" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. The petition had gained about 49,550 signatures by 7:50 a.m. on the 21st, just one day after being posted.

The petitioner stated, "I do not want to distort the facts, but it is already well known and deeply felt that only a very few Japanese have some conscience and sincerity," adding, "They show no remorse while hurting and wounding the people of the Republic of Korea with sharp tongues, whining like immature children, abandoning the minimum courtesy and consideration toward neighboring countries living together in this era."

He said, "Calling them neighbors is not one-sided but refers to a relationship based on mutual equality," and added, "However, despite Korea’s warm and loyal help during the Great East Japan Earthquake, being ignored is an event that no Korean citizen can ever forget."

He continued, "Perhaps the very gesture extended by Korea is uncomfortable and unpleasant to Japan as a country," and said, "Even overseas Koreans can only receive eight masks per direct family member per month, and if those precious masks arrive in Japan, they will not only throw away such valuable consideration into the trash but also trample and tear them up, proudly boasting about it on social media."

The petitioner stated, "All Korean citizens oppose humanitarian mask support to Japan, a neighboring country," and added, "Now that Korea is finally becoming a developed country and establishing itself as a global leader, I hope Japan will be excluded from humanitarian support."

He further said, "Japan is no longer a neighbor of Korea," and added, "Japan has broken all duties, conscience, and laws to be observed as a neighboring country and inflicted irreparable wounds on the Korean people. On top of that, Japan, pretending to be a neighbor while despising and mocking us, should not be given mask support."

Earlier on the 20th, Kim Kang-rip, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), said at a regular COVID-19 briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex, "If my memory is correct, there has been no discussion of a policy to provide masks to the US or Japan at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meetings."

Vice Minister Kim explained, "It is clear that the mask supply situation has somewhat stabilized. Thanks to the active cooperation and practice of the people, the five-day rotation system has been established, and pharmacies now have more than 300 masks in stock," but added, "That said, I think more consideration is needed on whether the government can ease export restrictions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.