KF뉴스레터-Mutual Efforts to Bolster Korea-Japan Relations

Mutual Efforts to Bolster Korea-Japan Relations

The 18th Korea-Japan Forum, an annual gathering of leading figures from the parliamentary, business, media, academic, and cultural sectors of Korea and Japan, was held at the Okura Hotel in Tokyo, Japan (October 3-5), as an effort to reinforce the bilateral relations of Korea and Japan.

The 18th Korea-Japan Forum featured five discussion sessions on key bilateral issues and matters of mutual concern. The initial session focused on the domestic political and social situation and the bilateral relations between Korea and Japan. A participant from the Korean side assessed President Lee’s governance of domestic affairs during the second half of his term, along with pointing out the challenges for domestic and international policy implementation. Then, a Japanese representative evaluated the past year’s developments under the rule of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), which assumed control after winning the general elections in August 2009, in particular regard to the governance of Prime Minister Kan Naoto, who survived a leadership challenge in September. Of note, the Korean and Japanese participants agreed that a continuance of stable domestic politics would be necessary for the two countries to strengthen their foreign relations and exchange activities, and to bolster Korea-Japan cooperation for addressing global issues.

Joint Response to China’s Emergence
The second session discussed the diplomatic and security environment in East Asia and a growing need for closer Korea-Japan cooperation. Attention was focused on the Cheonan’s sinking in March, which represented a threat to the security of the Korean Peninsula and the East Asian region, in addition to concerns being expressed about China’s reluctance to support the imposition of sanctions against North Korea. Above all, this discussion enabled the participants to recognize that China’s rapid emergence has become a key factor in the East Asian security environment.
The participants of the Korea-Japan Forum earnestly discussed how Korea and Japan should respond to the so-called “China issue.” A broad consensus expressed a sense of wariness toward China’s recent efforts to expand its influence in diplomacy and security, based on the momentum of its surging economic strength. There were also those who pointed out that China’s growing presence might pose an obstacle to the efforts to build an “East Asian community.”
During the third session on joint action to cope with the global economic crisis and the need for cooperation between Korea and Japan, concerns were raised that the global financial crisis, in the aftermath of the Lehman collapse in 2008, continues to threaten the global economy’s stability due to such factors as the potential for the U.S. to again slip into recession and the fiscal difficulties of European countries like Greece and Spain. The participants emphasized an urgent need for enhanced economic cooperation among Asian countries and for East Asia to actively promote regional development despite the global economy’s uncertainty. They also agreed to upgrade Korea-Japan cooperation in global affairs on the occasion of the upcoming G20 Summit in Korea and APEC meeting in Japan.

Challenges for Korea and Japan
The participants discussed ways for Korea and Japan to cooperatively respond to global issues during the fourth session. As a result of the recent global economic crisis, the unipolar global structure, centered on the United States, has been transformed into a multipolar system. In light of such international circumstances, the participants suggested that Korea and Japan should adopt a unified stance to help resolve major global issues, during this period of competitive struggle for global influence.
During the fifth session, the participants suggested a need for the two countries to strengthen their comprehensive partnership and to join forces to deal with the dramatically changing international environment. It was also pointed out that common issues of the two countries included the rapid emergence of China, North Korea’s nuclear issue, and Pyeongyang’s unstable leadership situation.
At the general discussion session, the participants reflected on the past 100 years on the occasion of the centennial of Japan’s coerced annexation of Korea, and agreed that the history of imperialism and suppression should never be repeated. They also agreed that the prominent figures of Korea and Japan should put forth concerted efforts to map out and realize future-oriented Korea-Japan relations for the next 100 years.

Joint Communiqué
The key points of the Korea-Japan Forum were outlined in a joint communiqué so that follow-up efforts can be undertaken to further enhance Korea-Japan relations. The communiqué stated that the Japanese government made a step forward in regretting its historical aggression with Prime Minister Kan Naoto’s issuance of a statement of apology for Japan’s wrongdoings toward Korea during the past 100 years. In addition, the forum participants called for Japan’s sincere efforts to resolve such matters as the return to Korea of Korean cultural properties in Japan, the comfort women issue, and the permanent return of first-generation Koreans in Sakhalin to Korea. In this regard, it was recommended that the heads of state of Korea and Japan meet within this year to address these issues. The forum participants agreed to present the joint communiqué to their respective governments.
On the grounds of the Okura Hotel, where the Korea-Japan Forum was held, there is a garden area that includes the Icheon Five-Story Stone Pagoda, which had been brought to Japan from Icheon, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. The hotel also maintains a collection of antiquities and cultural properties that had been taken from the Korean Peninsula in the past. During a break, the Korea-Japan Forum participants had an opportunity to view the Korean cultural properties

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Mutual Efforts to Bolster Korea-Japan Relations

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Mutual Efforts to Bolster Korea-Japan Relations

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