Japan officially removes South Korea from 'white list'
(Baonghean.vn) - On August 2, the Japanese Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved plans to remove South Korea from the "White List" of countries enjoying preferential trade status. The decision is expected to increase tensions between the two neighboring countries.
The decision will take effect within the next three weeks, after going through related procedures such as publication in the official gazette, meaning it will take effect around the end of this month. This is the first time Japan has removed a country that had been designated on the "White List".
According to the decision, in the coming time, more than 1,000 Japanese export items to South Korea will have to be approved by the government for each order. Tokyo can also arbitrarily adjust the appraisal time for export orders.
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| Japan officially removed South Korea from the “white list”. Photo: AP. |
In its response, the US expressed concern that the rift between its two biggest allies in Asia could affect its ability to deal with North Korean threats.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Japan and South Korea - two key allies of Washington - to find ways to cool tensions over wartime history and trade policy.
Currently, the "White List" has 27 countries such as the US, UK, France... For countries on the list, Japan allows businesses exporting goods outside the regulated list without having to check and grant separate licenses for each contract, but only need a general license. Japan has included Korea in the "White List" since 2004./.
