[Editorial] The Sad State of Korea-Japan Relations

The mood at Monday's meeting between president Roh Moo Hyun and Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi was so cold it would be hard to find a similar atmosphere in previous summits. Even if you account for the particular positions on each side, it is a reflection of the weakness of Korean-Japanese relations to have had difficulty even deciding on a date and location right up to the last moment.

The two men announced that they exchanged frank views on problems relating to history, which is where the greatest differences are. It is significant just having them talk about what they really think regarding things like Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine. But unless you see a desire to correct misled perceptions of history, the significance of such meetings still gets reduced by half. The reason relations have deteriorated so much this year is because of the Dokdo issue and the problems with Japan's history textbooks, but the fundamental reason is the open turn to the right by Japan's leadership, symbolized by the worship visits to Yasukuni. However Koizumi may rationalize his worshiping there, it is inevitable that his behavior is seen by Japan's victims as an attempt to legitimize colonial rule and a war of aggression. It is very regrettable that he did not promise to stop worshiping at the shrine, despite calls for prudence coming even from within Japan. How can one expect members of the Japanese cabinet to stop making abrasive comments when the prime minister does not hold back his stubbornness? Koizumi said he would consider the construction of a separate memorial site, but it would be hard to say that itself is a sign of change.

Wednesday marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Korea-Japan "basic treaty," which normalized relations. You would think the anniversary would be an occasion for a commemorative event, but the situation will not allow it because the past has not been properly dealt with, as seen in the complete lack of mention of colonial rule or an expression of apology in the treaty text. Do not expect the true advancement of goodwill as long as the issues are avoided.

The Hankyoreh, 21 June 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]