Japan-Korea trade confrontation WTO hearing may be prolonged

Japan-Korea trade confrontation WTO hearing may be prolonged Prolonged possibility 4:30 on July 30

Regarding the measures by which Japan tightened export control of semiconductor raw materials for South Korea, the World Trade Organization (WTO) established a subcommittee, which was the first trial in response to the Korean lawsuit. Conflicts over Japan-Korea trade have been tried by international organizations, but there is a possibility that a smooth resolution may not be possible and may last for a long time.

In July last year, a subcommittee, which is the first instance of the WTO trial, states that South Korea violates international trade rules over measures to tighten export control to South Korea for three items such as semiconductor raw materials. Filed a lawsuit for the installation of. At the WTO's June meeting, the installation was postponed without Japan's consent, but after that, South Korea again requested the installation.

At the meeting held at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on 29th, a sub-committee was established, recognizing South Korea's request by the provision that the second request will be approved unless all member states object. ..

The WTO decided to proceed with the procedure for selecting a member who will be a judge while listening to the opinions of Japan and South Korea, and the conflict over Japan-Korea trade will be heard at the forum of international organizations.

However, there are cases in which it takes more than six months as a general rule before the decision of the Sub-Committee is shown, and the higher committee, which is the second trial, is unable to secure the required number of members and is suspended. Since it is falling, a smooth resolution cannot be achieved, and the conflict may be prolonged.

South Korea “provides discriminatory trade restriction measures”

The Korean Ministry of Industry, Trade and Industry announced its comments on the night of 29th, following the decision by the WTO to establish a subcommittee.

“In the future, the Korean government proved that Japan's export restriction measures were arbitrary and discriminatory trade restriction measures through future procedures and violated the WTO rules, and promptly withdrew the measures. It is a plan to seek."

Government of Japan "Fully prepared to insist on justification of measures"

In this regard, the Japanese government issued a statement saying, "It is extremely regrettable that South Korea has once again selected to request the establishment of a subcommittee."

Also, in the statement, Japan's measures are a review of operations to properly manage items that can also be used for military purposes, and the WTO rules allow all member states to carry out such export controls. I'm pointing out.

In addition, after reviewing export control, it has confirmed that there is no risk of military diversion, and has given permission to export. I'm pointing out.

Given that Japan is fully prepared to claim the legitimacy of the measures in its subcommittee, the bilateral dialogue, not the WTO dispute resolution procedure, is the best and only solution. I am aware that there is.