Japan-ROK row could hurt regional economy

Editor's note: Japan has restricted the exports of three highly specialized products needed to make semiconductors, smartphones and computers to the Republic of Korea, which could seriously hurt ROK enterprises such as electronics giants Samsung and SK Hynix. At a meeting of the Council on Trade in Goods of the World Trade Organization last week, the ROK criticized Japan's move, saying it's unjustified. What will be the impact of the Tokyo-Seoul spat on the regional economy and stability? Two experts share their views on the issue with China Daily's Liu Jianna. Excerpts follow:

Tokyo vents anger against ROK moves

Japan has restricted the exports of the three products to the ROK mainly to vent its anger against the ROK Supreme Court's ruling last year that Japanese companies must compensate Koreans forced to work in mines and factories and as "comfort women" before and during World War II, ROK President Moon Jae-in's hard-line policy toward Tokyo, and the two countries' conflicting policies on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.