韓国政府、優遇対象国から日本除外＝輸出厳格化に「対抗措置」

　【ソウル時事】韓国政府は１８日、輸出管理上の優遇対象国から日本を除外する措置を実施した。日本政府による対韓輸出管理強化への事実上の対抗措置で、日本への輸出手続きを厳格化。対抗措置の応酬で日韓対立は依然、出口が見えない状況だ。
　産業通商資源省が発表した。同省の李浩鉉貿易政策官は１７日の記者会見で、「緊密な国際協力が難しい国家に対し、輸出管理を強化するため」と説明した。（2019/09/18-00:15）

South Korea's government on Wednesday removed Japan from its list of preferred trading partners in terms of export control procedures, in an apparent retaliation for similar measures Tokyo implemented earlier this year.
   The tit-for-tat trade conflict looks certain to further worsen the relations between the two East Asian neighbors.
   The move came after Japan tightened export controls on some semiconductor-related materials bound for South Korea in July and removed the country from its list of trusted trading partners qualified for preferential treatment in export procedures in August.
   At a press conference on Tuesday, a senior official of South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said that the measure is intended to strengthen export controls on the country with which South Korea finds it difficult to cooperate closely.
   After announcing last month the decision to remove Japan from the list, the ministry solicited opinions from the public. Of the opinions collected, 91 pct supported the decision.