Yoon Policy Coordination Team Discusses Export Controls with Japan's Keisan Minister

Jeong Jin-seok, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and head of the Korea-Japan Policy Consultation Delegation, is briefing reporters after meeting with Koichi Hagiuda, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, on the afternoon of the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Korea-Japan policy consultation delegation dispatched by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol met with Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Koichi Hagiuda on the 25th to discuss the export control measures against South Korea taken by the Japanese government in 2019.

The delegation, led by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Jeong Jin-seok, held a 40-minute meeting with Minister Hagiuda at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, on the second day of their visit to Japan.

After the meeting, Deputy Speaker Jeong told reporters, "There are issues such as export controls, but I told Minister Hagiuda that we should wisely strive to resolve these issues and pioneer a mutually beneficial future between the two countries from a new starting point."

Deputy Speaker Jeong added, "Minister Hagiuda also agreed on the importance of momentum and decided to continue constructive discussions through working-level channels."

In July 2019, as a de facto retaliatory measure against the South Korean Supreme Court's ruling on compensation for forced laborers during the Japanese colonial period, the Japanese government tightened export controls on key semiconductor and display materials to South Korea. In response, the South Korean government filed a complaint against Japan at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Akira Izumo, Director of the Korea Office at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, held a press conference after the meeting and reiterated the Japanese government's existing stance.

He stated, "Since South Korea filed a complaint at the WTO, dialogue has stopped. Japan's basic position is that policy dialogue cannot continue while the WTO complaint is pending, so if South Korea withdraws the WTO complaint first, we will return to policy dialogue."

Regarding South Korea's application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Director Izumo said, "There was no specific mention about the CPTPP."