Kyodo news reported that, as trade frictions intensified, Japan is going to remove South Korea from the white list of countries that gives the latter preferential treatment in trade. The announcement could be made as soon as on August 2, and change could take effect after 21 days.
Japan is reported to have cited “significantly undermined” trust between the two countries and “certain issues” with South Korea’s export controls and regulations. After the move, products and technology that could be diverted to military use would need to obtain approval from Ministry of Economy before exporting to South Korea.
Asked about the plan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference that nothing had been decided on the time frame. There are currently 27 countries on Japan’s white list including the United States, Britain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.
