Japan to put South Korea back on trade ‘white list’AFP, TOKYOJapan is next month to restore South Korea to a list of trusted trade partners, the government said yesterday, reversing its 2019 removal during a dispute over historical forced labor. The move, which reciprocates Seoul’s reinstatement of Japan to its own trade “white list” earlier this year, is the latest step in efforts by the neighbors to thaw ties. Trade with South Korea would again enjoy a fast-track approval process from July 21, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said. However, since South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol came to power last year, he has worked to quickly bolster ties with Japan in the face of North Korean threats. Also this year, Japan ended export controls on materials for semiconductors destined for South Korea, while Seoul dropped a WTO complaint against Japan and has moved to normalize a military intelligence-sharing pact.

Source: Taipei Times June 27, 2023 18:39 UTC