FOR generations there has been a rivalry between Korea and Japan, and in recent weeks tensions have been on the rise, with Korean pharmacists on the frontline.
Trade between the two countries became frosty after Japan announced it has struck South Korea off its whitelist of trade partners in response to the Korean Supreme Court's ruling ordering Japanese companies to compensate Koreans victims of wartime forced labour.
This is where pharmacists came into the dispute, with a number of regional pharmacy groups urging the profession to boycott Japanese over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, The Korea Herald reported.
North Jeolla Pharmacists Association Chief, Seo Yong-Hoon, has led one of the campaigns against Japanese non-prescription pharmacy products.
"(Just like many Koreans) pharmacists, too, feel Japan's retaliatory trade restrictions are gravely unjust," Yong-Hoon said.
"To deliver this sentiment to Japan, centering on younger pharmacists aged between late 30s to early 40s, we have decided to encourage voluntary boycott against Japanese products."
South Gyeongsang Pharmacists Association Leader, Choi Jong-Seok, echoed the desire to promote domestic alternatives to popular Japanese OTC brands, however, its more difficult when it comes to scripts.
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