South Korea's trade ministry on Monday put Japan back on a list of countries entitled to preferential treatment for trade after its removal more than three years ago, in a move to improve ties between the two countries. Both South Korea and Japan removed each other from their "White List" in 2019 as bilateral ties soured after the South Korean top court ordered Japanese firms to compensate wartime labor plaintiffs in 2018 and Japan tightened export curbs in what was regarded by South Korea as a retaliation. Related coverage:FOCUS: Japan, South Korea leaders' mutual visits key to balanced diplomacyJapanese, South Korean leaders improve ties, vow to resume mutual visits