South Korean Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki gave his warning to Japan regarding escalating tensions between the two countries. Hong said the government is planning to take steps to drop Japan from the white list countries with fast-track export status. This is in response to similar move by Japan earlier.
Hong also added that Japan’s measures will affect 159 exports items from South Korea. And the government pledged to provide support the companies affected.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in pledged “we won’t be defeated by Japan again”, regarding the trade tensions. He described Japan as a “selfish nuisance” for disrupting the global supply chain.