Why the Japan-South Korea disputes from World War II keep resurfacing
On July 1, Japan placed export restrictions on three chemicals critical to South Korea’s tech industry. Exporters must apply for a license each time they make a shipment, which can take up to 90 days. The Japanese government is also considering removing South Korea from its “white list” of trustworthy countries that receive preferential trade treatment.
The issue, the Japanese government claims, is that South Korea failed to control hydrogen fluoride — which can be used in weapons development — from being shipped to North Korea. South Korea has denied the accusation.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in called this a “grave challenge”, and promised to wean South Korea’s high-tech sector off its dependence on Japanese supplies.… Seguir leyendo »