Export Control in South Korea in Response to International Developments

South Korea’s export control system, established under the Foreign Trade Act, regulates “strategic items” to maintain international peace and security. These items include weapons, dual-use items, and technologies for military purposes. Korea has expanded its export controls in response to international developments, such as the US-China technology competition and the Russo-Ukraine war. Recent measures include catch-all licenses for exports to Russia and participation in semiconductor export controls against China. However, overlapping laws governing strategic items and critical technologies create operational uncertainties for businesses, necessitating a more streamlined and coherent approach