How the WTO will address the Japan-South Korea trade row

Are national security concerns a 'sacred cause' under international law?

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, right, and his South Korean counterpart Kang Kyung-wha, at an ASEAN meeting in Bangkok to discuss Japan's intended trade curbs. © AP

NATSUKO SEGAWA, Nikkei senior staff writer

August 7, 2019 12:34 JST

TOKYO -- The Japanese government has cited national security concerns as a reason for its Aug. 2 decision to remove South Korea from its list of countries that can receive favorable treatment in export controls.

The Japanese decision to take South Korea off its so-called "while list" from Aug. 28 comes after the U.S. has made regular moves in recent years to restrict trade on national security grounds.