TOKYO — TOKYO (AP) — Japan and South Korea are marking the sixtieth anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations Sunday. The 2 Asian powers, rivals and neighbors, have usually had little to have fun, a lot of their rancor linked to Japan’s brutal colonial rule of Korea within the early twentieth century.
Issues have gotten higher lately, however each nations — every a powerful ally of the US — now face political uncertainty and a rising unease about the way forward for their ties.
Right here’s a have a look at one among Northeast Asia’s most vital relationships, from each capitals, by two correspondents from The Related Press.
South Korea’s new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, is decided to interrupt sharply from the insurance policies of his disgraced predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, who now faces a trial on expenses of main an riot over his imposition of martial regulation in December.
Relations with Japan, nonetheless, are one space the place Lee, who describes himself as a pragmatist in international coverage, might discover himself cautiously constructing on Yoon’s strategy.
Earlier than his removing from workplace in April, the conservative former president tried to restore relations with Japan. Yoon needed to additionally tighten the nations’ three-way safety cooperation with Washington to counter North Korean nuclear threats.
In 2023, Yoon introduced a South Korea-funded compensation plan for colonial-era compelled laborers. That call brought about a powerful backlash from victims and their supporters, who had demanded direct funds from Japanese firms and a contemporary apology from Tokyo.
Yoon’s outreach boosted tourism and enterprise ties, however there’s nonetheless lingering resentment in South Korea that Japan did not reciprocate Seoul’s diplomatic concession by addressing historic grievances extra sincerely.
Whereas advocating for pragmatism and problem-solving in international coverage, Lee has additionally lengthy criticized Japan for allegedly clinging to its imperialist previous and blamed that for hurting cooperation between the nations.
Some consultants say the soundness of the nations’ improved ties may quickly be examined, probably across the Aug. 15 anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule on the finish of World Conflict II, when Lee is anticipated to publicly tackle the nation’s painful historical past with Japan.
Some in Seoul need Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to mark the anniversary with a stronger assertion of regret over Japan’s wartime previous to place bilateral ties on firmer floor.
Whereas wartime historical past will at all times linger within the background of Seoul-Tokyo relations, Lee and Ishiba might face a extra rapid concern: U.S. President Donald Trump’s rising tariffs and different America-first commerce insurance policies.
South Korea’s Hankyoreh newspaper in an editorial this week referred to as for South Korea and Japan to “collaborate instantly” on a joint response to Trump’s insurance policies, arguing that the proposed U.S. tariffs on vehicles pose related threats to each nations’ trade-dependent economies.
Ishiba, keen to enhance ties with Seoul, has acknowledged Japan’s wartime aggression and has proven extra empathy to Asian victims than his current predecessors.
His first encounter with Lee appeared constructive, regardless of worries in Japan about South Korea’s stance beneath a liberal chief recognized for assaults on Japan’s wartime previous.
Lee, in that assembly with Ishiba on the G7, likened the 2 nations to “neighbors sharing the identical entrance yard” and referred to as for constructing a future-oriented relationship that strikes past their “small variations and disagreements.”
Ishiba and Lee agreed to carefully talk and to cooperate on a variety of points, together with North Korea’s nuclear and missile improvement.
Beneath a 1965 normalization treaty, Japan offered $500 million in financial help to South Korea, saying all wartime compensation points have been settled.
Nonetheless, historic points together with compelled labor and sexual abuse of Korean ladies in the course of the battle have disrupted ties over the many years, whereas South Korea has change into an Asian energy and a rival to Japan, and whereas Tokyo, particularly in the course of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ‘s rule, has promoted revisionist views.
Japan has since supplied atonement money twice for the so-called “consolation ladies,” an earlier semi-private fund and a second one unilaterally dissolved by former South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s liberal authorities.
Issues have improved lately, and Japan is watching to see whether or not Lee sticks together with his conservative predecessor’s extra conciliatory diplomacy or returns to the confrontation that marked earlier liberal governments.
Cooperation between the 2 sides is “extra important than ever” to beat their shared issues corresponding to worsening regional safety and Trump’s tariffs which have shaken free commerce programs, Japan’s largest-circulation newspaper Yomiuri stated in a current editorial.
At a sixtieth anniversary reception in Tokyo, Ishiba stated that he sees “a shiny future” within the relationship. He expressed hope additionally for cooperation in “frequent challenges” corresponding to low beginning charges and declining populations.
___
Kim reported from Seoul, South Korea.