Seoul has again asked the World Trade Organization to establish a dispute settlement panel over Japan's tightened export controls of industrial materials to South Korea. The WTO is expected to approve the request.

In July last year, Japan tightened export controls for three materials used to make high-tech products such as semiconductors.

South Korea has reopened a complaint with the World Trade Organization over Japan's tightened export controls on three high-tech materials.

Officials of South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy revealed the reopening to NHK on Thursday.