South Korea on Friday called for an international investigation into allegations of Japanese officials that they transferred some high-tech materials imported from Japan to North Korea in violation of UN sanctions.
The call marks a new milestone in a dispute between US military allies that could cut off shipments of chips and displays from South Korean tech giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which see Apple Inc and other smartphone makers as their customers.
Last week, Japan tightened export restrictions on three materials used in displays and smartphone chips, amid frustration over what it sees as South Korea's inability to act in response to a ruling by one of its courts last October. directing Japanese Nippon Steel Corp. to pay compensation to former forced laborers.
But a Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Friday that restrictions on the export of materials are not a response to claims for compensation for South Koreans being forced to work for Japanese firms during World War II.
When imposing export restrictions, Japanese officials cited “inadequate management” of sensitive goods exported to South Korea, as well as a lack of consultation to share information on export controls.
Complicating matters are Japanese media reports that some of one of the export-restricted materials, hydrogen fluoride, has been shipped to North Korea after being exported south. Hydrogen fluoride can be used in chemical weapons.
South Korea's Deputy Director of National Security Kim Yoo-Geun said South Korea has fully imposed UN sanctions on North Korea and international export control regimes on sensitive materials and dual-use technologies.
“We deeply regret that senior Japanese officials have been making irresponsible comments lately without presenting them with a clear basis, suggesting that our government is violating export controls and not applying sanctions,” Kim said at the briefing. /p>
“To stop unnecessary controversy and determine the factual basis of the Japanese government's claims, we invite a UN Security Council panel of experts or an appropriate international organization to conduct a fair investigation into any four major export control violations by South Korea and Japan,” the official said. /p>
According to Kim, if the investigation reveals any violation by the South Korean government, it will immediately apologize and take corrective action.
But if the investigation concludes that South Korea is not to blame, Japan “should not only apologize to our government, but should immediately lift its retaliatory export restrictions,” Kim said.
