Kang Kyung-hwa "Deep Regret Over Japan's Continued Export Restrictions" VS Motegi "Regret Over South Korea's WTO Procedure Resumption"

South Korea-Japan Foreign Ministers' Phone Talk Also Discuss Forced Labor Issue

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the morning of the 3rd, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha held a phone call with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu to exchange views on major Korea-Japan issues and mutual interests, including the response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and export control measures.

Minister Kang expressed deep regret over the continued maintenance of the export control measures despite Korea's active efforts, such as amending the Foreign Trade Act, to resolve all the reasons raised by the Japanese government for the export control measures and urged the prompt withdrawal of these measures.

In response, Foreign Minister Motegi reiterated Japan's basic stance. According to Kyodo News, Motegi conveyed his "deep regret" regarding Korea's decision to resume the World Trade Organization (WTO) complaint procedure. He also mentioned that "(Korea's decision) does not help resolve the issue."

Minister Kang also reiterated Korea's position on the forced labor issue. On October 30, 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that Nippon Steel, which forcibly mobilized Koreans, must pay 100 million won in damages per person. On November 29, it recognized the compensation rights of victims in the Mitsubishi Hiroshima forced labor case and the Mitsubishi Nagoya naval female labor corps case.

Foreign Minister Motegi agreed on the need to promptly resolve the forced labor issue, a bilateral concern, but conveyed Japan's position that "cash conversion should be avoided as it would cause a serious situation" regarding the forced sale of Japanese company assets.

They agreed to strengthen intergovernmental cooperation in response to COVID-19. Minister Kang and Foreign Minister Motegi evaluated the cooperation between the two governments for the return of Korean and Japanese nationals staying overseas amid the COVID-19 outbreak and agreed on the need to expand cooperation related to this infectious disease situation.

A Foreign Ministry official explained, "The two ministers shared their positions and assessments on the recent North Korean situation," and added, "The two ministers agreed to continue communication and consultation between the diplomatic authorities of Korea and Japan to resolve bilateral issues."

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