[Photo] WTO rules in favor of S. Korean ban on Fukushima seafood

South Korea’s ban on seafood imports from the Fukushima region is expected to remain in place. On Apr. 12, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body overturned a 2018 decision that deemed the ban “arbitrarily and unjustifiably discriminate” against Japanese imports. The South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy released a statement about the ruling, saying it “appreciates the WTO’s ruling and welcomes the decision.” It is also notable that nearly 50 countries have enacted bans on Japanese imports following the nuclear disaster of 2011, but Japan has filed a WTO complaint exclusively focusing on South Korea.