Export Regulation Response Deadline and Japan's Silence... Will the Government File a WTO Complaint?

(Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] The 31st is the deadline set by the government for Japan to lift its export restrictions, but Japan has not expressed any clear position. The government intends to wait until midnight, but it is uncertain whether Japan will present a progressive response.

On this day, a Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy official said, "We are keeping the dialogue channels open and continuing discussions," adding, "We need to see whether Japan will respond and, if so, what the content will be," withholding further comment.

On the 12th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy urged Japan to clarify solutions regarding the three regulated items?EUV resists, fluorinated polyimide, and hydrogen fluoride?and the whitelist (countries favored in export screening for security reasons) that Japan imposed on South Korea.

Since South Korea has fulfilled all the conditions Japan demanded, including conventional weapons catch-all controls and reinforcement of export management organizations and personnel, it is calling on Japan to express its intention to restore the situation to before the export restrictions.

However, the general view is that it is unlikely Japan will take a progressive stance. Since Japan's measures began as retaliation for the South Korean Supreme Court's ruling on forced labor compensation during the Japanese colonial period, it is difficult to expect a change in attitude.

There is also speculation that Japan may continue to maintain export restrictions and use them as a bargaining chip in bilateral issues.

Accordingly, attention is focused on the South Korean government's next steps following its "deadline ultimatum."

First, there is a possibility of resuming the World Trade Organization (WTO) complaint procedure. The South Korean government filed a complaint with the WTO against Japan's export restrictions and proceeded with the first step, bilateral consultations between Korea and Japan.

However, when the two countries agreed on November 22 last year to postpone the termination of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), the WTO complaint procedure was also suspended.

In other words, if Japan does not provide a progressive response, it is highly likely that South Korea will resume the WTO complaint procedure and request the establishment of a panel for a full trial.

A government official said, "After confirming Japan's position, we will make a comprehensive judgment considering various factors."

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