Amid concerns that South Korean media, managed by the government, is failing to properly criticize the incompetence of the Lee Jae-myung administration, Japanese netizens are expressing strong criticism of the South Korean government's deceptive announcements. Captured online news articles and netizen reactions from Japan.

It is noteworthy that as South Korean media reports Lee Jae-myung's humiliating 'tribute diplomacy' as an achievement, Japanese netizens are expressing concerns for South Korea more than South Koreans themselves, offering candid opinions.

According to Japan's Yahoo Japan on the 1st, Japanese netizens are leaving comments expressing genuine concern for South Koreans on Japanese news articles that laud the South Korean government's perspective on the South Korea-US tariff negotiations as an 'achievement,' blaming South Korea's severely distorted and biased political and media landscape.

One Japanese netizen questioned, "What exactly is it that 'achieved results (功を奏した)'? I don't understand," and pointed out the Lee Jae-myung administration's intention by stating, "Japan is not being asked for an amount equivalent to its national budget, and market opening is also limited."

Another Japanese netizen retorted, "Isn't it a 'de facto defeat (実質負け)' for South Korea, which had an FTA, to have the same tariff rates as Japan?" and further emphasized, "The FTA advantage is gone."

In another comment, a netizen asked, "South Korea has lowered tariffs on trucks and agricultural products, which is worse than Japan, yet the South Korean government claims it's not a defeat compared to Japan," and questioned, "Is the political situation over there okay? (あっちの政治状況は大丈夫なんかな?)"

Another comment sarcastically remarked, "It's truly strange that people say it's better than Japan, even though the car tariff rate is the same 15% as Japan and the FTA benefits have disappeared."

Japanese netizens also expressed cynical opinions. One netizen disparaged the situation, stating, "Forcing the narrative of a win when it's a de facto loss is the 'thinking process of a backward country (後進国の思考回路)'" and added, "Japan will not help South Korea even if it collapses."

They also criticized the contradictions of the South Korean government. One netizen pointed out, "The $350-billion investment is merely a pretext (as claimed by South Korea), with Trump deciding all investment destinations, isn't this a 'clear tribute... (まさに朝貢なんだが・・・)'?" and added, "It's on a completely different level from Japan's $500-billion 'investment' concept."

Opinions strongly warning against pro-North Korean and pro-China moves were also presented. One netizen cautioned, "South Korea interprets things to its own convenience," and warned, "Do not overlook that if you show pro-North Korean and pro-China actions with this result, there will be severe repercussions."

By Heo Gyeom

Interpretations suggest that Japanese netizens are more concerned about South Korea than South Koreans regarding the South Korea-US tariff negotiations. In response to the Lee Jae-myung administration's claim of having defeated Japan, Japanese people are giving cold reactions, calling them "strange people."