Amid heightening trade tensions between Seoul and Tokyo,... the South Korean government is bracing for possibilities of Japan adding more products to its list of export-restricted items. <br />With local firms likely to face a burden,... top officials from tech giant Samsung Electronics are also planning to visit Japan.<br />Our Kim Min-ji has this report. <br />The South Korean government is working around the clock to prepare for the possibility of Japan expanding its export restrictions to Seoul.<br />A trade ministry official said Saturday that the government in January drew up a list of 100 key industrial products that could be targeted by Tokyo.<br />They include materials supplied by Japanese firms which Seoul is heavily reliant on,... such as chemicals, electronics and automobile parts.<br />The government says it is closely consulting with related companies on the matter.<br />Three items on the government's checklist are already being subject to stricter controls -- they are fluorinated polyimide, photoresist and high-purity hydrogen fluoride -- key materials used in the production of chips and smartphone displays.<br />Tokyo's actions are widely seen as a retaliation,... as it come after a Seoul court ruled that Japanese firms must compensate Korean victims of forced labor during Japan's colonial occupation.<br />Amid the escalating tensions,... top officials from South Korea's tech giant Samsung Electronics may visit Japan to meet local businessmen,... and search for its own solutions.<br />Local reports say Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong has had multiple meetings with key officials of Samsung's semiconductor arm,... and is considering a visit to Japan as early as Sunday.<br />Samsung officials have declined to comment on Lee's schedule,... but there's speculation of a date change as the presidential chief of staff for policy is expected to meet with the leaders of the country's top conglomerates on Sunday.<br />President Moon Jae-in also plans to meet with the heads of major conglomerates next week for further discussions on the matter.<br />Kim Min-ji, Arirang News. <br />
