‘S. KOREA FAILED TO JUSTIFY RESTRICTION’
Show how Japan has fallen short of export control regime, says minister
JAPAN hit back at South Korea yesterday for removing Tokyo’s fast-track trade status, with the industry minister saying Seoul has failed to explain its reason for the latest move in an escalating trade row.
South Korea signalled plans on Monday to remove Japan from a list of countries with fast-track trade status from next month, citing problems with export control measures.
Japanese Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko said Seoul had failed to show how Japan had purportedly fallen short of international export control measures.
“From the start, it is totally unclear under what basis South Korea can say that Japan’s export control measures don’t meet the export control regime,” said Seko in a Twitter post.
The tighter trade regulations, including potential lengthy permit application processes, will apply to South Korean exports to Japan.
Japan announced earlier this month that it was removing South Korea from its own “white list” of countries that had enjoyed minimum trade restrictions, citing an erosion of trust.
“The Japanese government made a decision to exclude South Korea from white-listed countries, following export restrictions,” said South Korean President Moon Jae-in yesterday.
“It is disappointing and regrettable in light of the two countries’ shared efforts for friendship and cooperation,” said Moon at a lunch for activists who fought for independence during the 1910-1945 Japanese occupation of the Korean peninsula.