16-Hour Talks End 'Empty-Handed' Between Korea and Japan

Ministry of Industry: "Japan's Revision of Conventional Weapons Law and Expansion of Trade Security Organization Positively Evaluated"

The scene of the "8th Korea-Japan Export Control Policy Dialogue," held for 15 hours and 50 minutes from 10:00 AM on the 10th to 1:50 AM on the 11th. (Photo by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Korea-Japan export control policy dialogue lasted 16 hours, 8 hours longer than scheduled, but ended without any tangible results. It is considered unusual for a director-level working meeting to be held for such a long time. Both sides agreed to meet again in the future to continue discussions on the three major export control items, removal from the whitelist (countries favored for export screening due to security reasons), catch-all controls on conventional weapons, and strengthening export control organizations and personnel.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 11th, the two countries held the "8th Korea-Japan Export Control Policy Dialogue" via video conference from 10 a.m. on the 10th until 1:50 a.m. the next day, lasting 15 hours and 50 minutes. The meeting was attended by Lee Ho-hyun, Director General of Trade Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Iida Yoichi (飯田 陽一), Director of Trade Management at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Despite expectations that proper dialogue would be difficult due to mutual entry restrictions amid the spread of COVID-19, the two sides engaged in an unusually long conversation.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated that during this policy dialogue, both sides exchanged information and opinions related to the improvement and implementation of export control and sensitive technology transfer management systems to contribute to resolving current issues. The agenda included ▲ updates on each country’s export control systems ▲ exchange of information on export control issues ▲ discussion of current issues.

The ministry emphasized that Japan gave a positive evaluation of South Korea’s amendment to the Foreign Trade Act related to catch-all controls on conventional weapons, as well as the establishment of a trade security organization and expansion of personnel. This is significant because Japan had previously expressed reluctance and raised issues regarding these matters. On the 6th, Minister Sung personally stated, "South Korea is effectively addressing these issues."

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said, "Both sides positively evaluated the recent strengthening plans of legal and institutional export control capabilities, including South Korea’s amendment of the Foreign Trade Act related to catch-all controls on conventional weapons, establishment of a trade security organization, and personnel expansion."

Both sides agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation to ensure efficient export control and technology transfer management. They also shared the view that, considering the recent international security environment, it is necessary to continuously enhance the effectiveness of export controls based on each country’s responsibilities and discretion.

The 9th Export Control Policy Dialogue is scheduled to be held in South Korea on a date agreed upon by both countries through preparatory meetings.

Experts point out that while it is positive that both sides confirmed a concrete willingness to negotiate, there is still a long way to go before the "regulations are withdrawn."

Professor Heo Yoon of Sogang University Graduate School of International Studies said, "There are clear limits to what can be discussed in strategic materials export meetings, but the fact that this issue was discussed for a considerable time in a working-level meeting is a positive sign." However, he added, "Without collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, National Assembly, and discussion of core issues such as forced labor compensation, it will be difficult to achieve a 'full restoration of export regulations.'"

Earlier, Minister Sung urged, "We call on the Japanese government to take measures to restore the situation to the level before July 1 of last year (before the regulations were imposed) in response to South Korea’s actions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.