South Korea Asks US to Continue to Help Solve Trade Dispute With Japan

A top South Korean official asked a State Department official to continue to help with South Korea’s ongoing trade dispute with Japan, saying during the United Nations General Assembly that the U.S. should “continue to play a role” in the negotiations.

During a meeting with David Stilwell, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, South Korean Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Yoon Soon-gu said South Korea is committed to ending the trade dispute. South Korea “asked the U.S. government to continue to play a role to the extent possible in facilitating constructive dialogue” with Japan, according to a Sept. 26 press release from South Korea’s foreign affairs ministry. South Korea said it hopes “the two countries can seek ways to resolve” the issue.

The dispute stems from Japan’s July 1 decision to add export restrictions on certain products to South Korea, followed by escalating export control measures from each side. Although U.S. officials have said they are willing to mediate the negotiations, President Donald Trump said in August the dispute is putting the U.S. “in a very bad position” (see 1908090046).