S.Korea reopens WTO complaint on Japan's control

NHK -- Jun 19

South Korea has reopened a complaint with the World Trade Organization over Japan's tightened export controls on three high-tech materials.

Officials of South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy revealed the reopening to NHK on Thursday.

Last July, Japan tightened export controls, citing security concerns and lax trade controls on the part of Seoul.

South Korea took the dispute to the WTO in September, but suspended the procedure in November in the hope for a settlement through negotiations with Tokyo.

Seoul also put on hold its decision to terminate the General Security of Military Information Agreement, or GSOMIA.

But discontent has increased within President Moon Jae-in's administration over the lack of progress being made in the last six months.

On June 2, the South Korean trade ministry said it would bring the matter to the WTO again, citing Japan's failure to show willingness to resolve the dispute by the end of May.

Jun 19 (ANNnewsCH) - 韓国政府は、日本の半導体材料の輸出規制が不当だとして、WTO=世界貿易機関での提訴手続きを再開しました。韓国政府は去年9月、措置の撤回を求めてWTOに提訴したものの、いったん手続きを中断していました。しかし、18日、WTOと日本に対して、裁判での一審にあたる紛争処理小委員会の設置要請書を送付しました。ただ、WTOは、最終審にあたる上級委員会の欠員によって機能停止状態になっていて、結論が出るまで時間が掛かる見通しです。