On Thursday the government announced a new "Korea-Japan relationship doctrine" that brings considerable changes to the underlying tone of policy towards Japan. The "quiet diplomacy" that has been maintained in the 40 years since diplomatic relations were established has been changed to "active response based on principle."
The government's perception of the problem is a reasonable one. Until recent developments the understanding has been that Korea has no choice but to think of Japan as its destined partner in building a peaceful and prosperous Northeast Asia. When in the past there have been Japanese provocations relating to Dokdo and resulting public anger, the government's basic position has been to pursue quiet resolution. It would be hard to say that policy was completely mistaken. Japan has been taking a rapid turn to the right in the meantime, and now there are clear signs of a trend towards ultranationalism and militarism. The various provocations and mangeon ("reckless comments") have become more frequent.
In such a situation there exists only the growing potential for dispute instead of Northeast Asian prosperity. In that sense you get the feeling that the government's change of course is actually late in coming. We need to reflect on whether our passive response so far may have in some ways encouraged Japan's rash behavior.
We have something to ask of the government, namely that it maintain a both resolute and consistent approach. Looking back, there were many times when the government got enraged when problems arose only to only to fizzle out as time went on. Now Japan has to be made to understand that there will be no progress unless issues such as the historical distortions, the victims of the colonial government, and Dokdo are resolved.
Korea must not neglect the work of securing the support of the international community and conscientious elements in Japan. The international support base has to be expanded by combining polished logic and wide-ranging effort with Korea's moral superiority. That would seem why the government included mention of "universal human values and common sense." It would be worth creating a joint body of private and government elements to concentrate the energy of the Korean people to that end.
We again call on Japan to understand the seriousness of the problem on its own and come free of its self-enclosed attitude and take action in good faith. It absolutely must not be the one crying foul right after unilaterally making things worse than they had been previously, just as happened recently.
Right now is a time when relations with the main nations with major influence on the political situation on the Korean peninsula, the United States, China, and Japan, are being adjusted all at once. Much of that is an inevitable part of a changed era instead of short-term pain. Our future a few years from now will differ largely according to how well we exercise wisdom and courage.
The Hankyoreh, 18 March 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] Hopes About New Policy Towards Japan |
