[Editorial] A Significant First Step for The Hankyoreh Forum

The Hankyoreh Foundation for Reunification and Culture and the Busan city government held an international scholarly conference over the weekend "A New Asian Order and Possibilities for Solidarity." It was timed to begin before the APEC summit that takes place in that city, and was particularly notable for being different in many ways from the usual conferences that approach the issues from a political or military perspective. In addition to the "neighboring powers" of the China, Japan, and the United States, participants also came from diverse countries such as ASEAN nations, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom. There was also contrast in that cultural approaches, equality in communication, and alliances with civil society were discussed as well. The "soft power" of joint work by government and private groups, instead of military strength, was emphasized in building a new landscape for East Asia because civic activists were included in the discussion as well and it was not just limited to scholars and former government functionaries.

It is notable that participants reaffirmed how Asian nations share one destiny since they inevitably influence each other. The Korean government is releasing secret documents and working to face unresolved issues from the past, and in Japan that is becoming a way to pressure the government there to stop being so resistant to making information public. In related discussion, it was suggested that Japan's "Peace Constitution" is the "property of Asia" and not just one particular nation, and as such should be defended by all. It means something special that the book History that Opens the Future, the precious fruit of discussion by scholars of history and civic groups in China, Japan, and Korea that was published by The Hankyoreh, was cited by participants as an important attempt to narrow differing recognitions of history and promote the formation of a community.

The Hankyoreh Foundation for Reunification and Culture and the Hankyoreh Sinmun Company will review in detail the accomplishments and shortcomings of the conference and make it a yearly event in which to give substantial organization to the discourses of East Asia. We hope to have the constructive criticism and cooperation of the various sectors of society so that the forum can be a crossroad of discussion that promotes the construction of an East Asian community based on reconciliation, peace, and solidarity.

The Hankyoreh, 14 November 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection]