SOUTH KOREANS DUMP JAPANESE BEER OVER DISPUTE

South Koreans are boycotting Japanese beer, with both Asahi and Kirin exports skidding as Japan continues to impose restrictions of the imports of chips and strategic products in retaliation for a court decision compelling Tokyo companies to pay conscripted South Korean workers for their labor.

Tokyo insists it is not obligated to do so after cutting an accord with Seoul that provided reparations, in effect arguing that it is under no legal compulsion to pay for the sufferings of, with Heineken in second place.

Kirin is also crying, according to spokespwoman Ataka Takashima as its South Korean partner, Hite Jinro, removed all mention of Kirin in its website, Pearly Neo reported for FoodNavigator-Asia.

Previously, Asahi and Kirin accounted for 60 percent of sokor beer exports, earning 800 million yen or $7.56 million. In October 2019, sales dropped to zero after dipping 90 percent for two consecutive months.