Japanese and South Korean trade bureau chiefs held a policy dialogue for the first time in 3-1/2 years on Monday, to discuss Japan's tightened controls on exports to South Korea.
Until June 2016, bilateral, bureau chief-level talks had been held regularly to exchange views on each nation's trade control systems. In the latest dialogue, Japan was hoping to confirm South Korea's efforts to improve its trade control procedures.
The meeting between Yoichi Iida, director general of the Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry (METI) Trade Control Department and Lee Ho-hyeon, director general for International Trade Policy of South Korea's Trade, Industry and Energy Ministry was held at the trade ministry's main building in Tokyo.
In July, the Japanese government tightened export controls on three items, including hydrogen fluoride, which is used to clean semiconductors, because Japan found "cases of impropriety," according to METI. Tokyo hopes to confirm details about the current situation and procedures regarding South Korea's export controls.
South Korea, on the other hand, has regarded the dialogue as a meeting for the revision of the tightened controls. It has claimed that Japan's toughening of controls violates World Trade Organization rules that prohibit discriminatory practices among member nations.
In August, Japan enacted an ordinance to remove South Korea from its so-called white list of preferred trading partners for which export procedures are simplified, partly because South Korea's screening system and laws were deemed to be inadequate.
South Korea strongly opposed the measure. It is believed that it is intending to increase the number of trade inspectors. Japan is expected to confirm whether South Korea is taking effective steps to improve its screening system.
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