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South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon gives a speech during an event celebrating the 573th anniversary of the birth of Hangul, the Korean alphabet, in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square on Oct. 9. (Yonhap News)
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Blue House denies having decided whom to send to ceremony
South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon is very likely to attend the enthronement ceremony for Japanese Emperor Naruhito on Oct. 22, numerous Japanese reports are suggesting. Meanwhile, the South Korean government maintains that the decision on who will attend the ceremony “has not been made yet.” Its position is that with Tokyo having taken no measures to improve its soured relations with Seoul, it is still too early for South Korea to discuss whom it will send as a congratulatory envoy. Japan’s NHK network reported on Oct. 9 that Lee was likely to visit Japan for the enthronement ceremony, adding that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was considering a brief meeting with Lee during his visit. Kyodo News reported on Oct. 7 that the South Korean government had communicated its intent to send Lee to Tokyo, and that the two sides were involved in their final coordination for the visit. But a senior South Korean government official disputed the claims in the Japanese reports. “The question of who will go to the enthronement ceremony looks like it will be decided this weekend or early next week,” the official said. A Blue House senior official said, “Nothing has been decided yet, including whether we will even be sending [a congratulatory envoy].” “The probability of President Moon Jae-in attending [if someone does go] is not high,” the official added. The response – which seemingly reflected a commitment from the administration and Blue House – also communicated a message demanding preemptive measures from Tokyo. “We have consistently been talking about resolving issues through dialogue as a rule, and Japan has not come out with any kind of forward-looking measures,” said a Blue House senior official. The situation suggests Seoul has not received any noteworthy “signals” about improving relations, even with the enthronement ceremony – which is attended by envoys from different countries around the world – furnishing a natural opportunity for senior leaders on both sides to sit down together for dialogue. People expecting to see concrete diplomatic results if Lee attends For Lee Nak-yeon himself, attending the enthronement ceremony is certain to be a burden. An official with the Office of the Prime Minister said, “The mood is definitely one where if the prime minister does go, people want to see some kind of results or for him to accomplish something while he’s there.” With a number of other variables still at play – including the expiration of the South Korea-Japan General Security of Military Information Agreement (GOSMIA) on Nov. 22 and the liquidation of Japanese company assets in connection with compensation for forced labor – some observers in the diplomatic community are predicting the Japanese Emperor’s enthronement will have only a limited impact on bilateral relations. At the same time, the prevailing view in and around the administration is that Seoul has no choice but to send an envoy to the enthronement as a national celebratory event for Japan – and that if someone is to be sent, it would have to be Lee. Considered a leading Japan expert with his history of working as a correspondent in Tokyo during his days as a journalist, he has been named as the “right person” to resolve issues in South Korea-Japan relations. Former Prime Minister Kang Young-hoon previously attended the enthronement of Emperor Akihito in 1990. On Oct. 22, Japan is holding an event titled “Sokui-reisei-den no Gi” (Imperial Enthronement Ceremony, 即位礼正殿の儀), which is intended to proclaim Naruhito’s enthronement to the outside world. Around 200 prominent figures from different countries and international organizations are scheduled to attend the enthronement. Prince Charles of England, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, and US Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao are among those who have communicated plans to attend. Abe plans to hold abbreviated meetings with around 50 of the visiting VIPs between Oct. 21 and 25, not including the ceremony date of Oct. 22. If Abe has a meeting with Lee, it appears likely to take place under this format. By Lee Wan, staff reporter, and Cho Ki-weon, Tokyo correspondent Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]
