The two countries have entered into behind-the-scenes discussions to restore export relations. After the preemptive restoration of the white list (regions favored for export of strategic goods) and the withdrawal of the WTO complaint, Japanese authorities are said to be actively negotiating.
There are also observations that the Japanese government will make a forward-looking decision on trade and trade issues between the two countries, considering the situation where public opinion in Japan is deteriorating due to historical distortion and claims of sovereignty over Dokdo. Representatively, the Japanese government’s measures to restore Korea’s white list are mentioned.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 14th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held the ’10th Export Management Policy Dialogue’ over the past 10th and 12th to 13th to discuss intensively issues related to Korea-Japan export management with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Kang Gam-chan, trade security policy officer at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in the South Korean government, and Katsuro Igari, head of the trade management department (director-general level) in Japan’s Gyeongsan Province, are known to be leading the negotiations as counterparts.
During the three-day video conference, the policy dialogue included situation permits (catch-all, a system for controlling materials that are not strategic items but are likely to be diverted to the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction), operation of the strategic material system of the two countries, examination, and post-implementation management. Discussions were intensively conducted.
In particular, the two countries plan to hold a face-to-face meeting in Korea for three days from the 18th to the 20th. The Ministry of Industry said, “We plan to discuss intensively the export management system and operation of both sides, focusing on major items and cases.”
Based on the behind-the-scenes discussions, attention is focusing on whether the two countries will be able to produce tangible results as a director-level official from Japan’s Gyeongsan Ministry will visit Korea. In particular, in response to Korea’s restoration of the whitelist, it is expected that Japan will also focus on concrete discussions on including Korea back on the whitelist.
An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said, “There will not be an announcement on measures related to the whitelist in the policy dialogue, but it can be seen that it is being carried out as part of discussions related to the restoration of the whitelist.” ” he said.
(Sejong = News 1)
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.