In bilateral consultations between South Korea and China on Aug. 29, Beijing clarified its stance on the gallium and germanium export restrictions it implemented earlier this month. Chinese officials reassured their South Korean counterparts that the measures aren’t an outright ban but export restrictions and that exports to South Korean companies can resume if they apply for permissions according to stipulated procedures. This move comes as China accounts for 80% of the world’s gallium and 60% of germanium, materials vital for manufacturing semiconductors.

South Korea voiced its hopes during the 27th Korea-China Economic Joint Committee meeting in Beijing, urging that export control procedures related to the two elements operate reasonably, ensuring no adverse impacts on Korean businesses. China emphasized the mutual benefits of maintaining a stable supply chain, suggesting an ongoing commitment to policy communication between the two nations.