NHK reported today that ROK Foreign Minister Kang held a 15-minute teleconference with Secretary Pompeo on Wednesday evening during which she criticized Japan’s tightening controls on semiconductor material exports to the ROK and voiced concern that this step may also affect U.S. companies and the global trade order and is undesirable for Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation. She also expressed hope that Japan will withdraw the export curbs in order not to make the situation worse, indicating that the ROK would like to avoid tit-for-tat retaliation and work for a diplomatic solution through dialogue. According to the ROK foreign ministry, Secretary Pompeo showed understanding for Kang’s remarks and the two officials agreed to cooperate to strengthen trilateral communication through diplomatic channels. NTV, TV Asahi and Fuji TV also carried reports on the teleconference.