**Amid US-China Tensions, China’s Rare Earth Export Controls Considered:**
In response to the rising issue of China’s rare earth export control amidst US-China tensions, the National Security Office in South Korea held a ‘Rare Earth Supply Chain Economic Security Status Review Meeting’ on the 15th to ensure the stability of the domestic rare earth supply.
The meeting, presided over by Oh Hyun-joo, the third deputy director of the National Security Office, involved key ministries such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry of Environment.
The National Security Office emphasized the importance of securing a stable supply of rare earths, crucial for advanced industries like semiconductors and electric vehicles, and discussed domestic supply conditions. They plan to continually enhance and develop stabilization strategies for the rare earth supply chain according to existing plans.
Furthermore, the office noted its collaborative efforts with relevant ministries to enhance the stability of supply chains for key products directly affecting the national economy and to jointly respond to export controls imposed by major countries.
Previously, on the 9th, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced the strengthening of existing rare earth export controls through the ‘Decision on Offshore Rare Earth Material Export Control.’
The South Korean government is actively analyzing China’s rare earth export control measures as part of its response.