The South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol has begun his two days trips trip to Japan. This is a historical moment in the diplomatic relationship between South Korea and Japan.
This is the first bilateral meeting between the two countries after 12 years. The South Korea President calls this trip the start of a new chapter in diplomatic relations. Yoon Suk Yeol said that he hopes the two countries look toward the future and move forward.
The Korean peninsula facing serious security challenges due to the aggressive actions of North Korea. Therefore, This Bilateral meeting holds significance in the Region.
The last visit of the South Korean president, Moon Jae-In was in 2011 when he asked for compensation for the sexually slaved women during colonial rule.
The historical feud between Japan – South Korea
Japanese ruled the Korean peninsula from 1910- 1945. This led to the exploitation, and forced labor, of Koreans by the Japanese empire. The women were forced into Sexual Slavery and were called the “Comfort Women”.
Historically the relationship between South Korea and Japan has been bad.
Post-war the relationship between these countries has been mended. The treaty was signed between the two after the war with the help of the USA.
Still, the problems root up again in 2018 when the South Korean Supreme Court ordered Japanese companies to compensate the forced labor victims. The orders were not fulfilled. Since then, there have been issues between the two countries.
Japan imposed sanctions on exports with South Korea in 2019. These controls limited the South Korean tech industry to making chips and semiconductors.
Earlier this month, the South Korean President announced a plan to compensate the South Korean wartime forced labor. This will be done through a foundation of funds that Private Korean Companies will fund. Instead of relying on private Japanese companies. There has been criticism against these moves.
Challenges from North Korea
The common security challenges from North Korea bring the two countries back together. The nuclear threat is growing in the region.
Japan confirmed the firing of a long-range ballistic missile into the waters of the Korean peninsula. In one year, this has been the third firing of an intercontinental missile.
Also, China has a growing military presence in the Taiwan Strait and the Solomon Islands. Though, Beijing has rejected any claims of expansion in the Solomon Islands.
Global Reactions
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishidaoshida has responded to the re-starting of the diplomatic ties as a “return to a healthy relationship”.
Mending relationship with Japan was in the election manifesto of the South Korean president. He has been constantly trying to solve the issues with Japan. Recently, Yoon said that the two countries share universal values.
The USA is a close ally between the two countries has appreciated the move to bring cooperation between Japan – South Korea. It is important for the USA that the two countries unite and cooperate. Joe Biden calls this a “Groundbreaking” proposal.
Internally, there has been criticism from the citizens. South Korean citizens oppose the visit to Japan. The opposition parties call this as biggest humiliation in South Korean history. There have been public demonstrations against the visit.
According to a survey poll, the majority of South Koreans have rejected the proposal to mend the relationship with Japan.
