TOKYO, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Japan's decision to remove South Korea from a list of countries that enjoy minimum export controls was not intended to hurt Tokyo's relationship with Seoul, Japan's industry minister said, adding that exporters can still use a special bulk licence.

Hiroshige Seko made the comments at a briefing on Friday after Japan's cabinet approved a plan to remove South Korea from a trade "white list". Seko said that Japan would only be ready to talk after South Korea corrected statements it made following a July meeting of bureaucrats from both countries about the issue. (Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Writing by David Dolan)