Their talks were held in an icy atmosphere, briefly turning confrontational.

Explained: What’s driving Japan’s escalating feud with South Korea?

Kono urged Seoul to immediately take action to stop the court process, under which the plaintiffs of the lawsuit are preparing to seize assets of the Japanese companies, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industry.

Nam defended his government and mentioned Seoul’s proposal of creating a joint fund as a way to settle the dispute. Kono raised his voice, saying Tokyo had already rejected the idea. He also criticised the ambassador for being “rude” to suggest it again.

Japan says all compensation issues had been settled under the 1965 bilateral agreement and that the South Korean government’s lack of intervention to stop the court process is a breach of the international treaty.

Tokyo is considering taking the issue to the International Court of Justice, although some officials say South Korea is expected to refuse going to court. Tokyo may seek damages from South Korea in case assets of Japanese companies are seized, Japanese media reported.

South Korea braces for more export curbs as Moon warns Japan of ‘greater damage’

“To genuinely resolve the problem, Japan must look straight into the unfortunate past and make efforts to heal the pain and scars of the victims,” the ministry said. “We hope that the Japanese government would withdraw its unilateral pressure including the export restrictions of retaliatory character and return to the stage of diplomatic resolutions.”

Seoul has protested Japan’s tightened controls on sensitive hi-tech exports to South Korea that could affect South Korean manufacturers as well as global supplies of smartphones and displays.

“If they need me, I’m there. Hopefully they can work it out. But they do have tension, there’s no question about it,” he said, adding “it’s a full-time job getting involved between Japan and South Korea.”

Japan and Korea are at odds. Why won’t the US get involved this time?

The trade dispute adds to their already strained relations.

Police said the man had phoned an acquaintance earlier to say he planned to self-immolate to express his antipathy toward Japan. Kim’s family told investigators that his father-in-law had been conscripted as a forced labourer during the Japanese occupation.

Seoul has accused Tokyo of weaponising trade to retaliate against the South Korean court rulings on compensating forced labour and plans to file a complaint with the World Trade Organisation.

Seoul demands proof from Tokyo for sanction violation claims

Tokyo said the export control issue has nothing to do with historical disputes but that the materials in question can be sent only to trustworthy trading partners.

Without presenting specific examples, it has questioned Seoul’s credibility in controlling the exports of arms and items that can be used for civilian and military purposes.

South Korea has proposed an inquiry by the UN Security Council or another international body on the export controls of both countries.

Meanwhile, North Korea’s state media on Friday slammed Japan for its recent trade restrictions against Seoul over wartime slavery disputes, accusing Tokyo of “destroying the trend of peace” on the Korean peninsula.

Japan is “trying to destroy the trend of peace on the Korean Peninsula by putting pressure upon South Korea through the restrictions”, reported the North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Friday night, describing Japan as its “sworn enemy”.

It added: “The human, physical and emotional damage Japan has caused to the Korean people (during its colonial rule) cannot be compensated even if the entire nation of Japan sacrifices itself.”