The 2019 Korea-Japan Conflict: Why Was It the Worst Year?
That Summer, What Disappeared from Convenience Stores
In the summer of 2019, Japanese beer began disappearing from Korean convenience stores and supermarkets. Citizens stood in front of Uniqlo stores holding “NO JAPAN” signs. Social media overflowed with posts showing cancelled trips to Japan.
What had happened?
2019 was the ‘Annus Horribilis’ (horrible year) for Korea-Japan relations. Called the worst since liberation, bilateral relations deteriorated to unprecedented levels that year. Supreme Court rulings, export controls, GSOMIA termination notice—a chain of collisions ensued.
After reading this article, you will understand the development and significance of the 2019 Korea-Japan conflict.
The Spark: Supreme Court Forced Labor Ruling
The October 2018 Ruling
The seeds of the 2019 conflict were actually sown in 2018.
On October 30, 2018, Korea’s Supreme Court recognized the liability of Japanese companies (Nippon Steel, formerly Shin Nippon Steel) to compensate victims of forced labor during Japanese colonial rule. The ruling ordered compensation of 100 million won each to four victims.
The Korean judiciary’s position was clear: “Individual claims were not extinguished by the 1965 Korea-Japan Claims Agreement.”
Japan’s Backlash
The Japanese government immediately protested.
“The claims issue was completely and finally resolved by the 1965 agreement. This ruling violates international law.”
Prime Minister Abe Shinzo declared he would “respond firmly.” The gap between the two governments’ positions could not be bridged.
First Half of 2019: Conflict Spreads
Patrol Aircraft Controversy (December 2018 – January 2019)
Shortly after the Supreme Court ruling, an unexpected incident erupted.
On December 20, 2018, a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol aircraft made a close approach to the Korean Navy destroyer Gwanggaeto the Great. Japan claimed “the Korean warship illuminated it with fire-control radar,” while Korea countered that “the Japanese patrol aircraft conducted threatening flight maneuvers.”
Whatever the truth, this incident inflamed public sentiment in both countries. Trust between military authorities was shaken.
Dissolution of Reconciliation Foundation (January 2019)
In January 2019, the Moon Jae-in government officially dissolved the “Reconciliation and Healing Foundation” established under the 2015 comfort women agreement.
The 1 billion yen contributed by Japan remained unused. The Japanese side was incensed, calling it a “breach of the agreement.”
That Summer: The Beginning of Economic War
July 4, Export Controls Imposed
On July 4, 2019, the Japanese government announced export controls on three key semiconductor materials (hydrogen fluoride, photoresists, and fluorinated polyimide) to Korea.
The official reason was “security concerns.” But no one believed it. It was clearly retaliation for the Supreme Court ruling.
August, Whitelist Removal
On August 2, the Japanese government removed Korea from its preferential export screening list (whitelist). Korea became the first country ever removed from Japan’s “white country” list.
This measure carried significant symbolic weight. It was Japan’s message: “Korea is no longer a trustworthy partner.”
The Spread of Boycotts
Korean citizens responded quickly. A spontaneous boycott of Japanese products spread nationwide.
Scale of the Boycott:
- Japanese beer imports: Down 97% year-over-year (September 2019)
- Uniqlo sales: Down over 30% year-over-year
- Korean tourists to Japan: Down 65% year-over-year (August 2019)
“NO JAPAN, YES BOYCOTT” slogans covered the streets. On social media, an atmosphere formed that labeled traveling to Japan or buying Japanese products as “treason.”
Fall, Security Cooperation in Crisis
GSOMIA Termination Notice
On August 22, 2019, the Moon Jae-in government decided to terminate the Korea-Japan General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).
GSOMIA was a military information sharing agreement between Korea and Japan signed during the Park Geun-hye administration in 2016. It was a symbol of security cooperation, enabling real-time sharing of North Korean missile information.
The Korean government’s logic was this: “We cannot share military information with an untrustworthy country.”
US Intervention
The United States was alarmed. A core pillar of Korea-US-Japan security cooperation was being shaken.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo publicly criticized, saying he was “disappointed by Korea’s decision.” Under US pressure, the Korean government “conditionally suspended” its GSOMIA termination decision in November.
The conflict was patched over, but wounds remained.
Why Did It Deteriorate So Much?
1. The “Judicialization” of Historical Issues
In the past, historical issues were “managed” through government-to-government diplomacy. However, with the Supreme Court ruling, the judiciary came to the forefront, eliminating the government’s diplomatic room for maneuver.
The Korean government said, “Under the principle of separation of powers, we cannot intervene in judicial rulings.” The Japanese government countered, “International commitments must still be honored.”
2. Domestic Political Pressure
Both countries were under domestic political pressure.
Korea: Progressive camp’s hardline stance on historical issues, anti-Japan sentiment in civil society
Japan: Abe administration’s hardline diplomatic line, right-wing anti-Korea sentiment
Leaders feared being criticized domestically if they appeared “weak.”
3. Collapse of Trust
The 2015 comfort women agreement, 2018 Supreme Court ruling, dissolution of the Reconciliation Foundation—this series of events instilled in Japan the perception that “promises with Korea are meaningless.”
On the Korean side, distrust deepened that “Japan tries to resolve issues with money without genuine apology.”
The strategic trust between the two countries had collapsed.
Aftermath: What Changed?
Short-term Impact
- Contraction of bilateral economic exchange
- Sharp decline in tourism and cultural exchange
- Amplified hostility at the civilian level
Long-term Impact
- Exposed “vulnerability” of Korea-Japan relations
- Confirmed possibility of linking historical issues with economy/security
- Revealed limits of US mediation role
Attempts at Relationship Recovery
In 2022, the Yoon Suk-yeol government presented a solution to forced labor and moved toward improving relations. However, the wounds of 2019 did not heal easily.
After Reading This Article…
- You can understand the chronological development of the 2019 Korea-Japan conflict
- You can grasp the structural causes of why the conflict deteriorated so severely
- You can understand how historical issues connect with economy and security
2019 showed the “bottom” of Korea-Japan relations. Paradoxically, having experienced that bottom, both countries came to recognize the importance of relationship management.
The problem is there’s no guarantee the “bottom” will occur only once.
References:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROK. “2019 Korea-Japan Relations Timeline”
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan. “Japan-ROK Relations”
- Ko, Yongjun. “Domestic Political Dynamics and Bilateral Relationship between Republic of Korea and Japan.” University of Delaware, 2025.