[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed "regret" over South Korea's unilateral decision to resume dispute resolution procedures at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in response to strengthened export controls, NHK reported on the 2nd.
Motegi's remarks came after South Korea announced last year that it would resume dispute resolution procedures at the WTO in response to Japan's export restrictions.
Foreign Minister Motegi stated, "My view remains unchanged that revisions to export controls should be based on the maintenance and operation status of the export control system."
Earlier, the South Korean government requested Japan to ease export controls, claiming that Japan had improved the reasons for strengthening export regulations, and asked for a response by the end of last month. However, Japan only repeated its fundamental stance without providing a response.
Hiroshi Kajiyama, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, also said at a press conference that morning, "Regarding export controls, we plan to operate based on a comprehensive evaluation including the export controls of the counterpart country."
Meanwhile, the South Korean government announced on the 2nd that it would resume WTO dispute resolution procedures concerning Japan's three major export control items: hydrogen fluoride, photoresist, and fluorinated polyimide.
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