South Korea's trade ministry has taken a step-by-step approach to fully refute Japan's claim its export curbs on high-tech materials to South Korea are merely part of its export management system.

"Due to the restrictions, Japanese companies are unable to ship their products to South Korea, and Korean companies are now looking elsewhere to properly manage the global supply chain. If this situation continues, it'll negatively impact the global supply chain and consumers around the world. Japan isn't fooling any one by saying its action is not a restriction,...considering the strength of Tokyo's move exceeds the level of any countries' export management."

The ministry official also said Seoul has always assigned a sufficient number of personnel and has strictly managed its own export controls to North Korea,... and called for the two sides to return to the previous status quo, without the restrictions.
He added Seoul wants in-depth discussions with Tokyo on the issue,...urging it to respond to South Korea's request for high-level talks.