Japan-Korea Relations: Same Club, Same Boat?

(Baonghean.vn)- The relationship between South Korea and Japan, which has been experiencing many ups and downs in recent times, is waiting for a new turning point during the visit of the South Korean Foreign Minister to Japan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. However, can the relationship between the two neighbors, which is “in the same boat but not in the same boat,” be easily “thawed”?

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President ParkGeun-hye (Internet photo).

Hope for a “thaw”…

The two-day visit (June 21 and 22) of South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se to Japan attracted the press and observers not only of the two countries but also of the region because this is the first visit of a South Korean Foreign Minister to neighboring Japan in the past 4 years. This visit, taking place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea, has even more symbolic meaning for the "reunion" between the two East Asian countries after a long period of "coldness". In the schedule in Japan, the most notable is the meeting between South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and his counterpart from the host country Fumio Kishida. The two sides will discuss a series of issues of mutual concern, including promoting bilateral relations, the situation on the Korean peninsula, and regional and international issues. Officials from both countries believe that this diplomatic event will be a good opportunity for both sides to improve bilateral relations between Japan and South Korea.

Up to now, the two most painful issues in the Japan-Korea relationship are historical disputes and sovereignty disputes. Historically, Korea has always "held grudges" over the story of Japan's invasion of the country from 1910 until the end of World War II. At that time, Japan was said to have wanted to assimilate Koreans, so hundreds of Korean women were forced into sexual slavery for Japanese soldiers during the war. The governments of both countries have made many efforts to improve relations and put the past behind them. However, these efforts have not brought about the desired results. Every year on the anniversary of the end of World War II, these issues are often brought up. Korea criticizes and forces Japan to apologize, while Japan asks Korea to stop criticizing them. Not only that, the two countries are also entangled in a sovereignty dispute surrounding the Dokdo Islands, which Japan calls Takeshima.

According to analysts, 2015 is a “heavenly time, favorable place” to improve the tumultuous relationship between the two neighboring countries. This year not only marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II but also the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This is a good opportunity for Tokyo and Seoul to build a common vision for a long-term relationship, especially in the context of the two countries facing many challenges. Although there are still disagreements on historical issues and territorial disputes, officials of both countries hope that there will be significant improvements in this important year.

In a recent press interview, South Korean President Park Geun-hye said that there has been a lot of progress in negotiations on the “comfort women issue” during World War II – a disagreement that has always strained the relationship between the two sides in recent times – and that the negotiations are in the final stages. President Park Geun-hye also said that South Korea and Japan can hope for a meaningful year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations and that the visit to Japan by the South Korean Foreign Minister this time is a big step in that direction.

Besides, Tokyo and Seoul are known as two important allies of the US in Asia. Washington has long urged its two partners to "make peace" and is ready to be a "bridge". It is understandable because Washington has a huge strategic interest in making these two allies friendly and cooperative with each other, so it certainly will not let Seoul and Tokyo become so cold that they "turn their backs".

But reality is not easy…

However, things may not be easy because although they are "in the same boat" with the US, Japan and Korea are increasingly showing that they are "not on the same boat" when different views on security policy arise due to changes in the international political structure and the balance of power in the East Asia region. Specifically, different views on the rise of China have affected the relationship between the two countries. Japan considers China as the most serious threat, especially in the military aspect, due to the territorial dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. In contrast, Korea seems to have begun to consider Japan's security stance towards China as a potential threat.

A poll by the Japanese newspaper Asahi last year, which asked which country posed the greatest military threat, found that 55% of Japanese respondents said China and 29% said North Korea. Meanwhile, only 10% of South Koreans thought of China, and 20% said Japan was the greatest threat. Another poll released earlier this month found that more than half of respondents in both countries said their image of their neighbor had worsened over the past five years. In fact, four in ten South Koreans believe that a war will break out between the two countries in the next few years. All these disagreements are causing a difference in security policy and mutual distrust between Japan and South Korea. Observers say the relationship between America’s two most important allies in Asia is at too low a level to bring about a breakthrough. Political analyst Junya Nishino at Japan’s Keio University said that trust between the two neighboring countries has been lost and is unlikely to be restored soon.

That is also the reason why the relationship between the two countries was not “reset” when Mr. Shinzo Abe and Ms. Park Geun-hye came to power in each country. Even in recent years, the relationship between Tokyo and Seoul has worsened. Since taking power, Mr. Shinzo Abe and Ms. Park Geun-hye have not had a full official meeting. The Japan-Korea summit has been interrupted for 3 years since the meeting in May 2012 between former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in Beijing (China). More and more experts believe that in the current period, both Tokyo and Seoul will find it difficult to organize a summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Park Geun-hye. Therefore, it can be said that, despite high expectations, the relationship between Japan and South Korea “in the same boat, but not in the same boat” seems to be only neighbors, not friends./.

Thanh Huyen