All national dailies took up South Korea’s decision to file a suit with the WTO against Japan’s decision to tighten exports of three semiconductor-related materials. Nikkei noted that although the bilateral dispute over export control will be closely examined by the world trade body, it may not be settled anytime soon as the WTO customarily takes about two years to render a decision on a trade conflict between member states. The daily voiced concern that the bilateral friction will become protracted given that Moon is unlikely to ease his hard line toward Tokyo so as to galvanize his liberal supporters, many of whom tend to be critical of Japan, ahead of the general election next spring.