Korea-Japan Trade Talks Likely to Be Held Soon

President Moon Jae-in speaks at a meeting with senior presidential aides on July 8.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on July 8 that the South Korean government would have to take measures if Japan’s retaliatory export restrictions actually did harm to South Korean companies. “That is not desirable at all, and we need to avoid confrontation,” he made his first remarks on the issue that day.

South Korean and Japanese government officials in charge of trade are likely to have a meeting soon for the first time since the restrictions. In addition, the South Korean government is planning to send Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee to the United States for international coordination.

The South Korean government explained that the two sides are currently discussing when to have the meeting in Japan. The government is likely to focus on correcting Japan's misunderstanding in that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe mentioned that the semiconductor material export restrictions against South Korea have to do sanctions on North Korea.

The trade minister, in the meantime, is scheduled to visit the United States and meet with trade officials next week. She is likely to stress the point that American companies such as Apple and Qualcomm cannot be free from the repercussions of the restrictions.

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