Presidential Office: "Japan Must Never Take Measures That Undermine Naver's Intentions"

"Japanese Government Also States It Is Not Mentioned from Management Rights Perspective"
"No Disadvantageous Measures If Appropriate Security Enhancements Are Implemented"
Presidential Office Holds Briefings for Two Consecutive Days Amid Opposition's Anti-Japan Offensive

Sung Tae-yoon, Chief of Policy Office at the Presidential Office, is giving a briefing on the current issues related to the 'Line Incident' at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 14th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Presidential Office stated regarding the 'Line Yahoo incident' that "the Japanese government must never take unfavorable measures related to the capital structure that go against Naver's intentions."

On the afternoon of the 14th, Sung Tae-yoon, the Policy Chief of the Presidential Office, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office and explained, "The Japanese government has also repeatedly stated that the current administrative guidance does not include any mention of share sales or management rights."

Since the Japanese government has expressed that it has not pressured Naver to sell shares related to Line Yahoo, this means that if Naver submits appropriate measures to strengthen information security, the Japanese government should not take any further unfavorable actions against Naver.

Sung said, "If Line Yahoo intends to submit information security enhancement measures excluding changes to the capital structure to the Japanese government, the government will provide sufficient support to Naver," adding, "This may include technical and administrative advice from relevant Korean agencies if necessary."

He also added, "Going forward, the government will continue to respond meticulously and strongly to ensure that our companies do not face any discriminatory measures or unfair treatment overseas that go against their intentions."

Sung had also held a briefing the previous day, stating, "We will take all necessary government-level measures and provide full support for Naver to strengthen information security aside from changes to the capital structure."

Sung Tae-yoon, Chief of Policy at the Presidential Office, is giving a briefing on current issues related to the 'Line Incident' triggered by administrative guidance from the Japanese government at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 13th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

As some opposition parties intensified anti-Japanese offensives using the Line Yahoo incident as an opportunity and the perception spread that "the government's response is passive," the Presidential Office is interpreted to have responded by holding briefings for two consecutive days.

President Yoon Suk-yeol reportedly said, in response to the opposition framing the incident as pro-Japanese or anti-Japanese, "This is not a time for anti-Japanese agitation," and "It is killing companies, not helping them."

Regarding these remarks by President Yoon, a Presidential Office official explained, "The intention is that there are aspects that can be resolved within the cooperative relationship between Korea and Japan."

Earlier, the Presidential Office had requested Naver to provide a more truthful and specific stance, including on whether to sell shares, stating, "It would be most advantageous for the government to assist Naver if Naver provides a more sincere and concrete position."

When asked whether they had received a specific position from Naver, a Presidential Office official replied, "As far as I know, communication with Naver is ongoing."