KF뉴스레터-Cooperative Efforts to Address Bilateral Challenges

Cooperative Efforts to Address Bilateral Challenges

The 17th Korea-Japan Forum, which serves as a private-level venue to promote bilateral relations and networking, was held in Seoul (December 6-8, 2009). Co-organized by the Korea Foundation and the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE), this forum is an annual gathering for prominent representatives of the national assembly, business, academic, media, and cultural sectors of the two countries.

For the Korean side, 28 leading figures attended this year’s event, including forum Co-Chairman Gong Ro-myung and members of the Korea-Japan Forum steering committee, such as Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) Chairman Cho Suck-rai, Korea Foundation President Yim Sung- joon, and Korea-Japan Cultural Exchange Council President Chung Ku-chong, along with National Assembly members Chun Yu-ok, Lee
Nak-yon, Won Hee-ryong, Kim Bookyum, and Park Sang-eun. As for the Japanese side, its 25 representatives included forum Co-Chairman Mogi Yuzaburo, JCIE President Yamamoto Tadashi, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Member of the House of Councilors Fukuyama Tetsuro, former Defense Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki Yasuhisa, and Member of the House of Representatives Matsumoto Takeaki.

Forum’s Tangible Results
Based on agreement reached during the 1993 summit meeting of President Kim Young-sam and Prime Minister Hosokawa Morihiro, the Korea-Japan Forum, along with being held annually, has emerged as the leading private level venue for the promotion of bilateral relations and intellectual exchange. Overall, the forum participants discuss pending bilateral issues and relevant themes, including recent political and social developments, Korea-Japan relations, and matters related to international affairs, security, the economy, and historical views. Through presentations and discussion,
the representatives seek to develop cooperative measures to effectively deal with bilateral and global concerns. On occasion, the participants have announced major policy proposals through a joint communique or forum statement. Of particular note, the
forum efforts have led to a number of meaningful initiatives, such as the Korea-Japan hosting of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, launch of shuttle flight services between the Gimpo and Haneda airports, and visa waiver provisions.

Cooperative Efforts
At this year’s forum, the first session addressed the recent political and social changes in each country and the status of Korea-Japan relations. This included presentations by the Korean side on the “Challenges of the Lee Myungbak government during its second year and Korea-Japan relations” and the Japanese side’s discussion of “Political changes in Japan and Korea-Japan relations.” In this regard, Chung-Ang University Professor Jang Hun noted: “The Lee Myung-bak government, in its second year, has enjoyed a remarkable political comeback, and based on this, the government is now enthusiastically pursuing various policy measures, like a revision of the Sejong City development project and the dispatch of Korean troops to Afghanistan.” He evaluated
the factors behind this political recovery and key challenges of the Lee Myungbak administration in its efforts to move forward with such policy measures.
For the Japanese side, Asahi Shimbun columnist Wakamiya Yoshibumi discussed the background of the recent regime change in Japan, the outlook for Japan’s domestic and foreign affairs, and prospects for Korea-Japan relations under the Hatoyama government. During the discussion period, the Korean participants expressed a keen interest in the state of Japan-U.S. relations, which have been strained somewhat by the Hatoyama administration’s indecision on the proposed relocation of a U.S. military base, and any impact this might have on Korea.
The participants also engaged in detailed discussion of efforts to cooperatively respond to regional concerns, in particular regard to Korea-Japan-U.S. cooperation to resolve the North Korean situation, Korea-Japan endeavors to overcome the global economic crisis, and measures to deal with global issues, like climate change and curtailment of environmental pollution. Above all, the two sides concurred on the importance of joint cooperation in order to bolster their global standing and influence.

Forward-looking Relations
The final session of the forum focused on a theme of “Challenges of new Korea-Japan relations: Korea-Japan cooperation for the future.” During his presentation, Professor Park Cheol-hui emphasized: “It is time to think about strategic Korea-Japan relations so as to satisfy the changing times.” He called for the formulation of a common future, work plan, and preparations to reinforce the bilateral relationship in the 21st century. Of note, several individuals mentioned the need to realize tangible progress in cooperative relations in the upcoming year, since 2010 marks the centennial of Japan’s annexation of Korea.
It was suggested that a joint declaration be issued by the heads of state of Korea and Japan in an effort to rectify the past 100 years of Korea-Japan history, and to announce the common vision of a new era based on mutual cooperation. The Japanese side stated: “The issue regarding repentance and apology for Japan’s past wrongdoings had been settled by the ‘Murayama Statement’ in 1995.” However, the Korean participants noted: “The issues of the past between Korea and Japan cannot be settled with the Murayama Statement alone,” along with adding: “It is important for the Japanese government to show serious self-reflection on the past and to make a sincere apology to atone for its past wrongdoings on the meaningful occasion of this centennial.”
In his closing remarks, the Japanese forum chairman Mogi commented: “This 17th session included more frank discussion between the two sides than at any other of our meetings.” As for his counterpart Gong Ro-myung, along with mentioning that West German Chancellor Willy Brandt had knelt down before a commemorative Jewish monument to demonstrate Germany’s deep remorse for its World War II atrocities, which was televised worldwide, he called for Japan’s serious efforts to express its sincere repentance for its past wrongdoings.
This year’s Korea-Japan Forum included a welcoming dinner at the residence of Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung-hwan. At a luncheon on the following day, Unification Minister Hyun In-taek, one of the founding members of the Korea-Japan Forum event, gave a presentation on the so called “Grand Bargain” proposal of President Lee Myung-bak, which is intended to help resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.

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Cooperative Efforts to Address Bilateral Challenges

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