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South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed to build an “unshakable” nation in the face of the escalating trade row with Japan but said he would “gladly join hands” with Tokyo if it chooses dialogue.

In his Liberation Day speech Thursday marking Korea’s independence from Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule, Moon expressed his resolve to stand resolute in the trade war but was careful to avoid a full-out confrontation, saying he was open to talks with Japan to end the dispute.

Relations between both countries sunk to new lows when Japan last month imposed export curbs of key high-tech sectors to Korea and dropped the country from its list of favored trading partners, citing national security reasons.

Seoul authorities slammed the move as retaliation over Korean court rulings that ordered Japanese companies to compensate victims of wartime forced labor. Japan argues that the issue was settled by a 1965 treaty that normalized bilateral ties.

“In the face of Japan's unwarranted export restrictions, we will continue our determined march toward a responsible economic powerhouse,” Moon said, renewing his commitment to build an “unshakable” nation.

He warned that the free trade order will suffer if a country “weaponizes” a sector where it has comparative advantage.

At the same time, Moon said the two countries can overcome the past and move toward the future if Japan ”contemplates a past that brought misfortune to its neighboring countries.”

“If Japan chooses the path of dialogue and cooperation, we will gladly join hands,” Moon said. “We will strive with Japan to create an East Asia that engages in fair trade and cooperation.”

Moon also shared his vision for advancing inter-Korean relations, even as tensions have escalated with North Korea’s recent string of missile tests.

"In spite of a series of worrying actions taken by North Korea recently, the momentum for dialogue remains unshaken," Moon said.

He pledged efforts to successfully co-host the 2032 Seoul-Pyeongyang Olympics and work toward achieving unification by 2045 to mark the 100th anniversary of liberation.

[ⓒ Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]