APD | S. Korea, Japan hold working-level talks to seek solution to trade tensions

By APD writer Alice

Korea and Japan held working-level talks on November 28, as a step towards the resolution of their trade row that has lasted for more than one year, the Yonhap News Agency quoted a South Korean official as saying.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the date and the venue of possible talks between director general-level officials from their trade authorities.

In July, Japan imposed tighter regulations on exports to South Korea of three materials critical for the production of semiconductors and flexible displays.

Japan also removed South Korea from its list of trusted trading partners.

In reply, South Korea also crossed out Japan from the list of trusted trade partners and decided to terminate the bilateral military pact, named the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).

Bilateral ties has worsen after the South Korean Supreme Court rulings ordering Japanese firms to compensate South Korean victims of forced labor during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

Early on the day, the Seoul government held a meeting of related ministers over the trade row with Japan, and called for efforts to ensure its upcoming talks with Japan can work toward the lifting of Japan's export restrictions.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)