What are the contradictions between South Korea and Japan that need to be resolved when being approached? Korea and Japan | Japan | Contradiction

Since the beginning of this year, under the matchmaking and pressure from the United States, Japan and South Korea have quickly approached, but can the two countries really let go of their grudges? Some analysts believe that although South Korea and Japan seem to be approaching rapidly, there are still many unresolved issues between the two countries, and structural contradictions are difficult to easily resolve.

The leaders of the United States, Japan, and South Korea will hold a summit at Camp David near Washington on August 18th. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun said that the talks were endowed with historical significance, namely, to realize the integration of the two alliances of the United States, Japan and the United States, South Korea, and to form a "irreversible and unbreakable" mechanism.

The dispute between Japan and South Korea in terms of history, territory, and other aspects has a long history. As an Asia Pacific ally of the United States, under pressure from the United States, Japan and South Korea began to approach. Especially after the government of Yin Xiyue took office, it comprehensively adjusted the diplomatic priority and attached great importance to repairing relations with Japan. However, historical issues remain a hurdle that both countries cannot overcome.

Yin Xiyue's Speech on the Restoration Day: Japan is a Partner

From 1910 to 1945, Japan implemented colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula. On August 15, 1945, Japan declared unconditional surrender and the Korean Peninsula was liberated from Japanese colonial rule. Therefore, on August 15th every year, South Korea holds a commemorative event called "Liberation Day".

In this year's Liberation Day speech, South Korean President Yoon Seok yeol referred to Japan as a partner, emphasizing the significance of cooperation between South Korea, the United States, and Japan, as well as security cooperation with NATO. On March 1st of this year, Yoon Seok yeol also referred to Japan as a "partner" for the first time at the commemoration ceremony of the March 1st Movement, which was described by South Korean media as a "significant turning point in the path towards Japan.".

South Korean President Yoon Seok yeol:

As security and economic partners, South Korea and Japan will further engage in future oriented cooperation and exchanges.

Yin Xiyue emphasized the importance of Japan during the Guangfu Festival, without mentioning Japanese colonial history at all

Yoon Seok yeol's speech on the National Day of Liberation has sparked questioning in South Korea's domestic public opinion. The Korean National News pointed out that although the Liberation Day is a commemorative day to break free from Japanese colonial rule, Yoon Seok yeol does not mention the 35 year history of Japanese imperialism occupying the Korean Peninsula, but instead emphasizes the importance of Japan.

South Korea's Kyongjo News commented: With the strengthening of the new Cold War situation in Northeast Asia, is South Korea's fueling of the fire a true path towards peace?

On the 16th, Lee Jae ming, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party of South Korea, stated that it is impossible to engage in "indiscriminate military cooperation" with Japan, which has not reflected on its past. Strengthening military cooperation with Japan should be comprehensively re examined.

South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses deep regret over Japan's high-level visit to Yasukuni Shrine

On the same day that Yoon Seok yeol was discussing cooperation between South Korea and Japan, Japanese Minister of Economic Security Hayao Takashi, Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's Political Consultative Conference Koichi Hagimoto, and more than 70 legislators visited the Yasukuni Shrine. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida presented "jade skewers" to the Yasukuni Shrine in the name of "President of the Liberal Democratic Party" through a representative. On the 15th, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Japanese politicians continue to visit and worship war criminals, beautify and invade Yasukuni Shrines, or offer sacrificial fees. The South Korean side is deeply disappointed and regretful about this.

Yin Xiyue's government's "third-party compensation plan" has been criticized for "humiliating diplomacy"

On the issue of forced labor, although the government of Yoon Seok yeol has proposed a "third-party compensation plan," the victimized workers and support groups in South Korea have refused to accept this compromise plan, and South Korean society and opposition parties have generally expressed opposition, calling it "humiliating diplomacy.". South Korea and Japan have also experienced economic friction due to the issue of forced labor. In July 2019, Japan announced restrictions on the export of three key semiconductor materials to South Korea, and the following month kicked South Korea out of the "white list" of trade partners subject to simplified export procedures. There was once a phenomenon of boycotting Japanese goods and refusing to travel to Japan among the Korean people.

During Japan's colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945, a large number of laborers were forcibly recruited to Japan to work as laborers. According to South Korean statistics, as many as 780000 Korean Peninsula laborers have been forcibly conscripted.

Victims of forced labor in Japan insist on compensation and apology from the Japanese side

Several victims and their families of Japanese forced labor in South Korea have stated that they will not accept the so-called "third-party compensation plan" proposed by the South Korean government and insist on Japan's compensation and apology.

Liang Jinde, a victim of forced labor in Japan:

My only wish and purpose is to make Japan apologize. As time runs out, what else can I hope for? Accepting an apology is the only wish.

Korean media: Forceful conscription of "comfort women" is a war crime that Japan should bear legal responsibility for

In addition, official data from South Korea shows that during Japan's colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula, 80000 to 160000 Korean women became comfort women for the Japanese army. The Korean National Daily pointed out that no matter how the Japanese government denies it, the forced recruitment of "comfort women" is a war crime against women, and this point can never be absolved. Japan should bear legal responsibility for this.

The disputed island issue between Japan and South Korea is deadlocked, and neither side will make concessions

In addition to historical issues, the issue of disputed islands between the two countries is also a deadlock. In the "Diplomatic Blue Book" released by Japan in April, it still claimed that the disputed islands belong to Japan's inherent territory, and South Korea is currently "illegally occupied". The disputed islands between South Korea and Japan are located approximately 90 kilometers east of Yuling Island in the eastern waters of the Korean Peninsula, with an area of only 0.186 square kilometers. South Korea, Japan, and North Korea all claim sovereignty over the island, which has been effectively controlled by South Korea since 1953.

There is a competitive relationship between Japan and South Korea in the main export products

Economically, South Korea and Japan are both export-oriented countries, and there is a competitive relationship between the two countries in terms of their main export products. At the end of 2022, the Korea Economic Research Institute released a report stating that South Korea and Japan have highly similar export products, with a similarity index of 69.2, surpassing any other trading partner country. The report suggests that due to the similarity of export products between the two countries, South Korea's exports to Southeast Asia and other key regions were seized by Japanese products against the backdrop of the sharp depreciation of the yen last year.

Some analysts believe that although South Korea and Japan seem to be approaching rapidly, there are still many unresolved issues between the two countries, and structural contradictions are difficult to easily resolve.

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