South Korea Protests Japan Export Controls as Restrictions Take Effect

South Korea said it has “deep regret” and strongly protests Japan’s decision to remove South Korea from its list of trusted trading partners, which officially took effect Aug. 28. In a statement, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for “an immediate withdrawal” of the export restrictions, which it said were a “clear retaliatory trade measure.”

South Korea also said Japan has refused to accept South Korea’s “repeated offers for dialogue.”

“The ROK government once again strongly urges the Japanese government to withdraw all of its arbitrary and unilateral measures immediately and to sincerely engage in dialogue and consultations to seek a constructive solution,” South Korea said.

Japan stressed that the measures are not an embargo on exports to South Korea and said the restrictions will not “affect free trade or the global supply chain” (see 1908280032). South Korea said its chief negotiator and foreign affairs minister were to meet with Japan Aug. 29.