Japan-Korea Working-Level Talks Make Some Progress... Export Regulation Withdrawal "Still a Long Way to Go"

The Significance and Limitations of the 8th Korea-Japan Director-General Dialogue
Differences Remain Between the Two Countries on the Core Issue of Export Regulation Withdrawal

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] "The two countries have increased trust in their export control systems and operations." (Lee Hohyun, Director-General for Trade Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, right after the 7th Korea-Japan Export Control Policy Dialogue on December 17 last year) "The two countries positively evaluated plans to strengthen legal and institutional export control capabilities, including South Korea's amendment of the Foreign Trade Act related to conventional weapons catch-all controls, the establishment of a trade security organization, and improvements in personnel expansion systems." (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy after the 8th dialogue on the 11th)

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, industry, and academia on the 15th, the fact that Korea and Japan had more advanced practical discussions in the 8th dialogue compared to the 7th is considered meaningful. The ministry emphasized that it is addressing issues such as conventional weapons catch-all controls and reinforcement of export control organizations and personnel requested by the Japanese government, judging that it has received some recognition from the Japanese government. Regarding conventional weapons catch-all control, it announced plans to prepare an amendment to the Foreign Trade Act, increase personnel at the Strategic Materials Management Institute, and expand and reorganize the ministry's trade security organization to a "national level."

However, it is reported that the Japanese government showed a clear difference of opinion with the South Korean government regarding the withdrawal of export regulations. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported, "South Korea claims to have improved its export control system through legal revisions, but Japan is known to have maintained a cautious stance on easing export regulations." Earlier, Minister Sung Yun-mo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said on the 6th, "We urge the Japanese government to take measures to restore the situation to the level before July 1 last year (before the regulations) in response to South Korea's actions."

Experts emphasize that for improved results regarding export regulations in the 9th dialogue, ▲ the two countries should lift entry restrictions imposed on each other due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, and ▲ achieve progress on the fundamental cause of export regulations related to compensation for victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period.

Professor Heo Yoon of Sogang University Graduate School of International Studies said, "Without discussing key agendas such as forced labor compensation in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and the National Assembly, it will be difficult to 'restore export regulations to their original state,'" adding, "Through a high-level meeting attended by ministers or special envoys from the Blue House, South Korea should raise the issue of cashing in on compensation rulings, which would lead Japan to consider withdrawing export regulations."

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