Japan to accept WTO talks with South Korea on export control

September 20, 2019

Tokyo--Japan plans to accept a request from South Korea for talks on Tokyo's tighter export control under the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement procedures, trade minister Isshu Sugawara said Friday.

"There is no change in Japan's position that the review of its export control is consistent with WTO rules," Sugawara said at a press conference, suggesting that Tokyo will refute Seoul's complaint over the matter in the bilateral talks.

Japan and South Korea are unlikely to reach a settlement over the issue through the talks due to wide gaps, sources familiar with the situation said.

Under WTO rules, the issue will be referred to a dispute settlement panel if the two countries fail to resolve it within 60 days of the complaint filing. South Korea filed the complaint with the world trade body on Sept. 11.

In July, Japan tightened its control on exports of three semiconductor materials with the potential for military use to South Korea, citing a problem in Seoul's trade control system.

South Korea claims that the Japanese move is politically motivated amid disputes between the two countries over wartime labor and other issues. Jiji Press