Responsibility for what happens next lies with Japan: South Korea President Moon Jae-in on trade confrontation

South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday condemned Japan's decision to remove his country from a "white list" of favoured trading partners, calling it a "reckless" move and threatening unspecified countermeasures.

Tokyo was responsible for "ignoring diplomatic solutions" and "aggravating the situation" Moon Jae-in said in remarks to a short-notice cabinet meeting televised live. "Responsibility for what is going to happen next also lies squarely with the Japanese government."

Earlier Japan said that it will remove South Korea from the ''white list''.

The measure is expected to take effect later this month.

Tokyo's decision comes despite calls from Washington for the two US allies to set aside their differences, and after South Korea warned it would review security cooperation with Japan if the de-listing went ahead.

South Korea becomes the first country to be dropped off the list.

The measure is the latest blow to ties between South Korea and Japan, which have plunged to new lows over a long-running dispute on forced labour during World War II.