Top export control officials from Japan and South Korea sat down in Tokyo on Monday and talked for about ten hours, three more than scheduled. They left without the result either side had hoped for.
It was the first policy meeting between the two in more than three and a half years. Expectations did not match going in. Seoul thought Tokyo would roll back its tougher screening of exports, while Japanese officials said that was never guaranteed.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said the two sides covered export control issues and the systems meant to stop materials that could be used to make weapons from spreading. Trade Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama declined to give details. Even so, the meeting is being seen as a significant step toward rebuilding trust and trade relations.
How relations got here
The slide began in the summer, when Japan tightened its screening of exports to South Korea of three chemicals used to make semiconductors and display panels. It also dropped South Korea from its list of countries judged to have adequate export controls on materials that could feed conventional or mass-destruction weapons.
Seoul answered by downgrading its own trade relations with Japan. The two governments were already at odds over wartime labour, and the exchange of penalties made things worse.
South Korea then announced it would end the General Security of Military Information Agreement, the pact under which the two countries share sensitive intelligence, mainly about possible missile launches from North Korea. Seoul has since backed off that threat.
Next round
The next policy discussion will be held in Seoul. No date has been set, but it is expected soon. Observers also saw the Tokyo meeting as a chance to build some momentum before Prime Minister Abe and President Moon Jae-in were due to meet in China the following week.
