North Korea’s state media has slammed Japan for its recent trade restrictions against Seoul over wartime slavery disputes, accusing Tokyo of “destroying the trend of peace” on the Korean peninsula. After South Korea’s high court ordered Japanese firms that used forced labour to compensate Korean victims, Tokyo earlier this month restricted the export of several chemicals to South Korea that are crucial to its world-leading chip and smartphone companies. South Korea’s left-leaning President Moon Jae-in, who favours engagement with Pyongyang, has said Tokyo’s actions are “politically motivated” and have caused an “unprecedented emergency” for Seoul’s export-driven economy.
