[한일비전포럼] “If Japan supports Korea’s participation in the G7, Korea-Japan relations will also be stable.”

Continuous diagnosis of Korea-Japan relations

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is greeting members of the Liberal Democratic Party after a press conference at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on the 28th. Despite the crushing defeat in the general election, he said, “I will carry out my duties.” [AFP=연합뉴스]

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s coalition government of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito suffered a crushing defeat in the Japanese general election on the 27th. This is the first time in 15 years since 2009 that the ruling party has failed to secure a majority (233 seats) in the House of Representatives. Prime Minister Ishiba lost the impetus for running state affairs after just one month in office. The US presidential election is also in a very close race. Participants at the Korea-Japan Vision Forum on the 28th reached a consensus that “we must ensure that the weakening of political leadership in Korea, the United States, and Japan does not affect Korea-Japan relations.”

Summary of former Ambassador to Japan Yoon Deok-min’s speech

In this election, the anger of the Japanese people over the ruling party’s political funding issues was greater than expected. Prime Minister Ishiba took a hard-line response, including excluding from nomination senior Abe faction lawmakers who caused controversy, but public opinion cooled sharply after it was revealed that the Liberal Democratic Party had also provided financial support to them just before the election. The Unification Church funding scandal and an inflation rate that had not been experienced in the past 30 years also had an impact.

Political volatility has increased as the political chaos in Japan, the results of the US presidential election, and the domestic political situation in Korea are intertwined. Our security situation and strategic environment are rapidly changing, including military alliances leading to the deployment of troops by Russia and North Korea and the collapse of the international free trade order. In the next U.S. administration, the task of our government will be how well we keep pace with the U.S. and Japan in our future policy toward China.

As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan in June next year, we have three tasks: ▶ institutionalizing Korea-Japan relations ▶ making the people feel the improvement in relations ▶ building a cooperative relationship that goes beyond history and is oriented toward the future. To this end, strategic cooperation must be strengthened through the institutionalization of shuttle diplomacy along with the ‘Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration 2.0’. In solidarity with Korea, the United States, and Japan, we must cooperate with Japan to expand the G7 (seven major countries), currently centered on Europe, to the G9, which includes Korea and Australia. It is also worth considering signing a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement covering data, security, and cutting-edge technology and free movement between the two countries.

Simplified entry screening, ‘pre-entry international’ required

In the front row, from the left, Professor Chang-min Lee, Vice Chairman Seok-sung Seo, Dae-kyung Lee, former Ambassador to the United States Ahn Ho-young, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Yu Myung-hwan, former Ambassador to Japan Choi Sang-yong, former Ambassador to Japan Lee Byeong-ki, Korea Federation of Banks Chairman Cho Yong-byeong, National Assembly member Sang-hyun Yoon, former Ambassador to Vietnam Lee Hyuk, and former Ambassador to Japan Deok-min Yoon. Ambassador, former Ambassador to Japan Shin Kak-soo, Professor Cho Yang-hyeon, Professor Emeritus Jeong Jae-jeong, Director Kim Kwang-du, former Ambassador to Japan Kang Chang-il, Korean Peninsula Peacemaking Foundation Chairman Hong Seok-hyun, Chairman Park Moon-soo, and Mirae Asset Securities advisor Choi Hyun-man. Professor Yang Ki-ho and Attorney Shin Hyun-ho. Reporter Jang Jin-young

▶Former Ambassador to Japan Shin Kak-soo = When Prime Minister Ishiba was elected, it was expected that he would be a plus for Korea-Japan relations because he is a politician with a forward-looking stance on historical issues. There is also talk of the possibility of an early resignation due to a significant loss of influence.

▶Professor Cho Yang-hyeon, National Diplomatic Academy = The People’s Democratic Party and the Constitutional Democratic Party made great progress, but the Yushinhoe and the Communist Party declined again. Although he criticized the Liberal Democratic Party, he showed a tendency to pursue stability. Ahead of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan next year, it seems important to take a utility-oriented approach like now.

▶ Yang Ki-ho, Professor at Sungkonghoe University = We must also keep in mind the possibility that Abe Fine’s former Minister of Economy and Security Sanae Takaichi may become Prime Minister in the future. In the current situation, it appears difficult to reach a forward-looking agreement between the leaders of both Korea and Japan due to weakened domestic political leadership.

▶Former Ambassador to Japan Choi Sang-yong = We need to judge right and wrong from the perspective of national interest, but the people need to continue exchange and cooperation without making a difference. The leadership of both governments is weak to promote the ‘Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration 2.0’. If we are serious about Korea joining the G7, it will be difficult for Japan to oppose it.

▶Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoo Myung-hwan=8 million citizens of both countries come and go every year. There is a need for both governments to review a pre-entry system that simplifies entry screening. Regarding exchanges between future generations, the top priority is to introduce the ‘Asian Erasmus Program’, which provides support for tuition and living expenses.

The key is to manage both Korea-Japan and Korea-China relations.
▶Former Ambassador to Japan Lee Byung-ki=The government should utilize the Japanese network and infrastructure. There were pros and cons in the comfort women negotiations, but there was no follow-up action. Public relations also need significant improvement. Northeast Asia cannot be moved through Korea, the United States, and Japan alone. There are many difficulties in Korea-China relations, but we must continue to send people to make efforts.

▶Former Ambassador to Japan Kang Chang-il=The Komeito Party also values ​​relations with Korea, and the Constitutional Democratic Party is a very close enemy. We need to make good use of these groups that are friendly to Korea. As the famous statement in the Kim Dae-jung and Obuchi Declaration states, “Facing the past face to face and building future-oriented relationships,” we must not ignore the past.

▶Former Ambassador to the U.S. Ahn Ho-young=The results of the U.S. presidential election can be known only when the lid is opened. If Trump is elected and the Republican Party gains a majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, considerable chaos is expected. It is bound to have an impact on Korea-US relations or Korea-US-Japan relations.

▶Former Ambassador to Vietnam Lee Hyuk=Because Ishiba will be a weak prime minister, it is difficult for shuttle diplomacy to occur as frequently as in the past. Regarding past history, Korea-Japan relations must be pointed out clearly to Japan in order for Korea-Japan relations to be future-oriented.

▶Jeong Jae-jeong, Professor Emeritus, University of Seoul = Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, but it also marks the 20th anniversary of Japan’s Shimane Prefecture declaring ‘Takeshima Day’. As soon as a small gap appears in this issue, it degenerates into a domestic political problem. There is a need to manage the problem so that it does not escalate.

The problem is that the companies that forced mobilization did not apologize.
▶Hyunho Shin, Haeul Representative Attorney = Although the Ukishima ship sinking incident remains as an ember, at least the forced mobilization case has been legally concluded as no additional lawsuits have been filed within the three-year statute of limitations following the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2018. However, the problem is that the defendant companies have still not apologized.

▶ People Power Party Rep. Sang-Hyun Yoon = When it comes to past history issues, Japan will not be able to fill ‘half of the glass’. In addition, the ‘Asian version of NATO’ that Prime Minister Ishiba advocated for immediately after taking office has become difficult to realize. Considering the heterogeneity of Asian countries, it is difficult to imagine a military alliance system.

▶Lee Ha-kyung, JoongAng Ilbo reporter = There is bound to be a significant difference in perspectives between Korea and Japan due to past history issues, and the government needs to utilize experts in various fields in managing messages toward Japan. In the international political arena, the government, private sector, political circles, and even the media each have their own roles. You have to play the so-called ‘two-level game’.

▶Kim Gwang-du, Director of the Korea Institute for Future Studies = I think it is possible for Korea and Japan to share the asset market in terms of financial assets. Strategic industries are something each person pursues, so sharing them is not easy. In the case of venture companies, standardization of screening standards in both countries can be promoted.

Support exchange through standardization of technology review between the two countries
▶Kwon Tae-hwan, President of the Korea Association for Defense and Diplomacy = Two variables in the current security environment surrounding the Korean Peninsula are the North Korean military’s trend of sending troops to Russia and changes in the U.S. alliance strategy. In Korea and Japan, which do not possess nuclear weapons, security issues are the driving force that the people of both countries can most empathize with.

▶Professor Lee Chang-min, Department of Convergence Japanese and Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies = Recently, Japanese high school students are entering Korean universities and knocking on the labor market. In reality, Japanese students who come to Korea are unable to find employment due to difficulties in visa conversion. The government needs to solve the difficulties.

▶ Seok-sung Seo, full-time vice president of the Korea-Japan Economic Association = Economic agreements such as the Korea-Japan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are not easy to make bilateral progress in the economic world, contrary to the government’s will. There is a limitation in that it is difficult to maintain momentum in areas such as agriculture, forestry and livestock during the negotiation process.

▶Chairman Park Moon-soo of Future and Value = The Ishiba administration has many political issues, making its position in Japan unstable. In times like these, we must use all our wisdom in diplomacy with Japan to promote cooperation and reconciliation.

Pursuing peace by creating a common market like the EU
▶ Cho Yong-byeong, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Banks = Japanese finance can act as a breakwater when Korea faces a liquidity crisis. From the perspective of the convergence era, many Korean companies have entered Japan in the financial, digital and IT startup sectors, and Japan is also trying to learn from them.

▶Hyeonman Choi, Advisor, Mirae Asset Securities = As the ruling party fails to win a majority in the House of Representatives election, the yen is weakening, exceeding 153 yen against the dollar. In the aftermath of this, the Japanese stock market appears to be rising strongly.

▶Chairman Hong Seok-hyeon of the Foundation=Recently, the Korean language craze is spreading among young people in Japan. Korea-Japan relations must maintain this point. In the end, what matters is the economy. The reason Europe, which experienced war in the 19th and 20th centuries, has maintained peace for the past 100 years is because it established a common market through the European Union (EU). If Korea and Japan first establish a common market and then include Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and ultimately China, the risk of war in Northeast Asia will be greatly reduced. Above all, politicians should abandon the idea of ​​trying to gain votes by being anti-Japanese.

◆Creating peace on the Korean Peninsula=Launched in November 2017 to contribute to establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula. The affiliated Korea-Japan Vision Forum is seeking practical and strategic solutions to improve Korea-Japan relations. Former Ambassador to Japan Shin Kak-soo served as chairman.

Summary = Reporter Lee Yoo-jeong [email protected]