Government-led boycott could do more harm than good: Experts

조례로 일제 구매 금지?...''자가당착, 득보다 실이 커''

Amid the Seoul-Tokyo trade dispute, more and more people here in South Korea have been boycotting Japanese products,... with some even calling for a law banning Japanese goods.
But some experts say,... that could do more harm than good.
Our Choi Si-young tells us more.
From mid-July, South Koreans have been boycotting Japanese goods and services to protest the unfairness of the Tokyo's export curbs on Seoul.
For one thing, more locals are choosing Korean clothing brands rather than their Japanese rivals.
"Sales are usually weaker in July. But this July, the number of customers visiting our store jumped, and I am seeing more customers aged 40 and beyond, which is quite new, considering most of our customers are in their 20 or 30s."
"I came to visit this store as a sign of protest against Japan, and apart from some exceptional reasons, I think it's better to buy local products than foreign ones."
Taking things a step further, some locals propose a stronger boycott.
At a press conference on Tuesday, one of the unions representing government workers suggested that government bodies do not use Japanese office supplies at all.
They suggested creating legislation that bans the purchase of Japanese goods by public bodies.
Some experts say THAT could backfire.
"As long as individuals voluntarily choose to take part in the boycott or 'No Abe' protests, it's okay. It's not okay when the government or public bodies encourage an organized boycott. That will contradict our stance against Japan that it is violating the free trade principles."
The expert went on to say that regulation, if introduced, will also turn away Japanese locals who consider Tokyo's export restrictions unfair.
Despite strong opposition from South Korea and the boycott that started in July, Japan removed Seoul from its whitelist of trusted trade partners in early August.
South Koreans' boycott of Japanese goods and services is still going strong.
But, experts say individuals should freely choose the extent and severity of the boycott.
Choi Si-young, Arirang News.