SOUTH KOREA | Another Japan Reset? 

So, here we are again. Another reset of relations between Japan and South Korea. But will this be different? There are certainly good reasons for a new, deeper strategic partnership. But the past still weighs heavily on them. As ever, let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Hi, this is a former South Korean military officer who can speak Korean and Japanese fluently. I would like to say this event is for sure positive, but not "significant". Japan does not have many benefits from a good relationship with South Korea as a industry competitor. In addition, it wants to remain as an East Asian democratic leading country which basically wants to monopolize supports from United States. Korea has a serious problem with inner conflicts between right and left. Most left people hate(somewhat abhor) Japan. The thing is the current president, Yoon, is elected from the right, and it seriously led the conflict among domestic politics. Again, this event was great, but I cannot say it will fundamentally improve the relationship between Japan and Korea.

I used to work for a company representing both Mitsubishi Motors and Hyundai in Venezuela. Whenever we had a visit from abroad we had to change the office's decoration to avoid offending our guests. It was kind of funny but also highlighted the animosity between these two cultures.

James, I was wondering if you could do a video covering inner EU-relations, specifically Romania-Austria and Bulgaria-Netherlands with schengen being rejected at a time when European solidarity is important. Needless to say, the Austrians aren't very popular in Romania anymore. And there's the feeling that these countries are only used as a 'junior partner' to make money out of.

Another Friday, another great video from professor Ker-lindsay

Another triumph. Thank you, professor.

I always look forward to the videos! I feel like I always have a better understanding and appreciation of the topic.

Thanks!

Another awesome video, covering subjects most others do not.

Good review of their complex relationship!

Love the content Prof, I stumbled across your channel a while back now I’m genuinely interested in international relations and I have you to thank for it!

Increasingly becoming one of my favourite channels on RU-vid ❤

I love you channel and how educative and informative your videos are. Keep up the great work.

I would really love to listen to your analyses on Spotify :).

I bloody hope so. A metaphorical and literal bridge has been needed for decades.

I could listen to you all day long, Professor! Keep up the good work!

Great content as always. Thank you professor! Thanks also to WPR for sponsoring this amazing channel.

Good morning James. I found the video very interesting, thanks for sharing this. It is curious to note the tough relations between the two, despite having similar economies, geographic proximity and alignment of strategic interests - when it comes to security (common threats), and international alliances (alignment to the west and US). Would definitely read more on the sources that you have shared; and it makes me wonder how some countries manage to mend relations after a brutal war and the wounds are still fresh in others (taking my own, the example between France and Germany).

Excellent as always. Even though history is the past it can be weaponised at a moment's notice to destabilise the future. You could be forgiven for thinking it's done on purpose. But for what end? We all lose out. Perhaps that's the answer?

Rough history there, but glad they’re moving forward.

Wake up honey prof dropped a new banger

James, this has to be the most balanced presentation of the S. Korea and Japan relations. Yet, you didn't water down anything. Your video covered all the nuances and complexities. Becoming a big fan of your channel. By the way, these are some anecdotes that I have noticed about the UK. It seems that the English are more likely to have a favorable view of Japan while the Irish tend to side with or be sympathetic to the Koreans. Wondering if that's something you have noticed also?

Thank you for the video professor, definitely a very interesting topic. It had certainly seemed for much of the last decade that South Korea was much more open to rapprochement with North Korea and Communist China than it was with Japan. Given that Japan under the late Shinzo Abe wasn’t exactly trying to reach out either, it seems that both a new era and a more ideologically-aligned set of leaders could indeed hallmark a more positive future relationship. As you point out, it could either be fleeting or (hopefully) lasting. To your point about the Quad, it previously seemed like a bridge too far for Seoul, but perhaps not anymore. It’ll be interesting to see what happens on that front as well. Another great video Dr. Ker Lindsay, thanks as always for providing this well-grounded basis for discussion!

Great video! Another interesting and similar scenario is the bilateral relationship between China and Vietnam. Even though they have a rather similar political system, they have a complex relationship due to historical episodes and territorial claims. Some of which date back to even centuries ago. Presently, they are neither friends, nor enemies.

Please do a video on why some unrecognised or partially recognised countries such as Somaliland and Kosovo struggle to secure their territorial boundaries. Kind regards to you James

Great academic talk RS. Canada

holding daggers while shaking hands.

Hope springs eternal they say, and I hope this is the start of much better relations. Your analysis seems very thorough. Thank you. But one thing not mentioned is possible cultural connections. K-pop and so on. Perhaps the next generation will be more willing to forgive.

I did wonder when I would see a video about this from you :-) and here it is, quick job man :-D

got your book on audible thanks for writing !

Two great Nations Japan and South Korea great too c the geting on so well , well done .

I do wonder if this can bring about the fixed link between South Korea and Japan. Would be incredible to see a tunnel/bridge built.

🎶one step forward and two steps back

Good video, and one that is timely. I do note, though, that often it is South Korean leaders going to Tokyo for talks, while news of Japanese leaders going to Seoul for discussions is almost nonexistent. It felt one-sided from where I'm watching. Just an overall observation about the ties between the two countries; again, like your videos and hope to watch more of them.

Thanks a lot for this breakdown of the back-and-forth between Japan and South Korea. Do you think Abe's (tragic) death might facilitate relations in a way? Or are there a lot of Nationalist Japanese politicians with similar attitudes?

Thanks Prof👍🏻👍🏻 In a bad mood. Porch pirates took off with my copy of Secession. Bloody expensive in Australia 😡🤬😠😤

I really doubt the underlying problems have gone anywhere and problems will continue for the foreseeable future..

This is not the first 'rapprochement ' between Japan and South Korea but I fear this will fall through over some historical issue or when the government changes as it always does. I think one must recognize that the current cooling in relations did not come about out of any genuine desire by either side to mend the situation but rather by the urging of the US who is seeking to build some sort of Asian alliance against China. There is still very deep animosity against the Japanese nation among Koreans and local politicians use this to gain votes so it's not going to go away. I'm not saying this time couldn't be different but I'm just not confident due to historical precedents. One thing I always found interesting though is that China always seemed to be much less demanding and hostile toward Japan when it came to their historical grievances than South Korea even though they suffered just as much in that regard.

Great video Professor! I should tell you that I've named dropped you and this channel in my letter of intent to apply for Master's studies in International Affairs. 🙂 I lived in South Korea for 3 years, and despite knowledge of Japanese occupation throughout Asia, I was not aware of how salient the SK-Japan rift was. Like many English-speaking foreigners in Korea, I taught English in after school academies. It was astonishing how enmity toward Japan is baked into Korean education even today. Kids in elementary school had strong opinions about a group of barren rocks smack in between South Korea and Japan. But they were sharp students, and the complexity of the situation was not lost on them. Many of them had visited Tokyo or Okinawa on vacation, Japanese style ramen restaurants are quite popular, and Pokemon, One Piece, Studio Ghibli, etc. are adored among Korean children and young adults. These 10-13 year olds I taught had the wherewithal to differentiate their country's struggle against the Japanese government and their commonalities and friendship with the Japanese people. All that being said, I think that feuding with Japan has been politically convenient for Korea in the recent past. The basis is, of course, the legitimate grievances Korea has carried since the end of occupation. But it also serves as a social and political distraction to Korea's other problems, like the horrid work-life balance necessary to advance in the country, the hated but necessary military conscription for all males, perhaps the most rigorous education system in the world, and so on. Also, I'd wager that neither Korea nor Japan want to jeopardize their relationship with China too much, the biggest trading partner to both nations. In kind, China has always been nervous at the presence of liberal democracies and American allies so close to Beijing.

i am lover of south korea and japan.always love tham.

In a complex geopolitical theatre, if both nations choose not to be' 'friend', it is also not necessary they should end up becoming 'enemy' either.

What about the 2002 World Cup, which South Korea and Japan co-hosted together? Had relations improved enough, or was that particular instance a marriage of convenience which brought both countries the World Cup?

without implying anything to the is case, to what extent do you think past trauma can be leveraged for future gains?

I think it's a pity that Japan has this mentality hardwired in its society, that prevents it from recognizing its past wrongs and apologizing accordingly. As a Frenchman, I see the situation as in stark contrast with the relationship Germany has with us, and indeed a lot of other European countries. Despite them having played a similar role in Europe during the war as Japan did in Asia, we created the EU, a massive trade bloc and now one of the most politically integrated intergovernmental organizations the world has ever seen. Meanwhile, Japan has never managed to clean its reputation in South Korea or the countries of ASEAN. If only it could, I think East Asia as a whole would tremendously benefit.

From what I've read in articles about the countries' public reactions, it is coming across as a top down process, a realpolitik decision from both sides to have a functional federal security apparatus in the face of China and N.Korea, and on the behalf of the U.S.'s own security interests. The public of S.Korea rightfully see through it. I think the Japanese public, anxious about the security situation, are in support of the deal.

Common enemy brings cooperation.

It's easy to spot a fraud when a presenter talks about a topic or a situation that a listener has followed for many years. Japan and Korea are two countries I've followed politically for over 25 year now, so I was curious about how you would present the relationship between them. Personally, I think your analysis is spot on, and a quick read through the knowledgeable comments below would suggest many others share this view too. Brilliant work as always - how you squeeze so much detail into such a short segment is really very impressive.

공동의 적이 있으니 함께할수밖에 없을겁니다

Turns out I’ve watched about 83/178 of your videos so far, and have the occasional JKL binge. Thought you might like to know

Hopefully a positive move. If South Korea can accept a final compensation settlement and Japan can issue a formal apology, there's room for progressive warming of relations despite the fraught colonial history.

Professor, while studying in Korea, I can not understate the presence of the occupation here. Most elderly people here have personal experience with being brutalized by the Japanese. In almost every city or village I've been to, there is a monument for a massacre that happened in those towns at the hands of the Japanese

So now we have a few of the principle Asian countries in conflict with each other. What comes next?

Along with continuing to develop its technology, society and economy, China needs to work to build better relationships with these countries in the next few years, decades etc. that’s how Asia can actually become a center of power equal with Europe and the US. Right now, Korea and Japan don’t see an advantage to depending on China over the US but for most of history these countries have a deep connection, hence the widespread use of Chinese characters in all of these countries etc. China needs to become better to appeal to them and make them want to work with them.

Emperor Hirohito (Showa) in 1984 saying that he "regret" what happened in the past, but he was never punished for his war crimes (all for the sake of preventing Japan from imploding after their defeat in World War 2) And the Showa Emperor is still celebrated with a holiday every April 29

The first time the bilateral relationship is presented in a nuetral manner with the facts correct. Well done. the relationship is very nuanced due to the long and troubled history. The only way to overcome it is to have faith in the future and trust that the other is changed and not the country of the past. This goes for both side, almost like marriage counseling.

Much like with North Korea, relations with Japan heavily depend on the administration. You still see businesses in South Korea with posters boycotting Japanese products and whilst it feels many younger Koreans have a great interest in Japanese food and culture, when you mention the topic, they won't outright say they like Japan. I think that's still due to the general attitude out here and cautiousness to openly admit to liking a culture which has polarised opinion for so long. There is a slow shift happening with newer generations and their mentality. As a teacher, they seem warmer towards Japan than China with examples. However, these changes are due to new attitudes with younger koreans and a growing distance between themselves and the atrocities committed. I don't think the Japanese are any closer to openly admitting the wrongdoings they committed against Korea or China, which is unfortunate and a polar opposite to the approach Germany took after the war.

Korean neighbors were Manchuria (Manchus) and Japan, not China and Japan.

I'm really pessimistic the summit will reset the relationship between two American allies in Asia. In particular, domestic politics in both countries will ruin this last opportunity in this decade to bring two nations together. It's a complicated issue because the two nations have totally different views of each other and the whole region. But I'm not going to deal with this in detail and rather will focus on the outcome we would likely see in the foreseeable future. One visible outcome of Yoon Yoon Suk Yeol, the South Korean president's summit with Kishida Fumio, Japanese Prime Minister, is that the approval of Yoon's presidency is falling after the summit. I assume that this is not only due to the summit but also several domestic issues such as labour hours and political infight within the ruling party. But Japan issue clearly takes a large portion of the fall. According to at least two polling conducted by Gallup Korea and RealMeter, around 60 percent of the respondents said they oppose Yoon's proposal to solve the "forced labour issue" during WWII by Imperial Japan(which Japan does not recognise as forced labour and refuses to pay the compensation). And there are several rumours that something like "Japan raised the territorial claims Dok-do/Takeshima during the summit" or "Kishida demanded Seoul to import fishery products from Fukushima," which Korean consumers are worried about the possibility of being polluted by the nuclear plant incident in 2011. So, the damage to Yoon's presidency seems to be at the begging now. And the National Assembly, South Korean Legislative branch, is dominated by opposition parties. Without any significant positive response from Tokyo, Korean domestic politics, by South Korean public's anger and animosity to Yoon will lead to another impeachment (highly unlikely yet), the opposition camps' dictating the National Assembly after defeat in the next general election (likely), or change in the government who has deep-seated interest to try to null Yoon's legacy (highly likely). Several responses from Japan may be able to prevent these scenarios from happening. The top of the list would be Japan's abandoning the territorial claim over the rock called Dok-do/Takeshima. This issue is more than just a territorial issue. Koreans tend to think that the problem is related to Japan's stance to reluctant to recognise South Korea as an independent sovereign power but treat it as their former colony. This was part of a proposal called "Grand Bargain" suggested by several American pundits such as Scot Snyder, Director of the Program on U.S.-Korea Policy at CFR, during the Obama administration. Still, Japanese domestic politics will not allow it to happen. One of the other candidates would be something like Japan's inviting South Korea into the QUAD, separately suggested by Christopher Johnstone, the Japan chair at the CSIS, or Ishii Masafumi, a retired Japanese diplomat and professor at Tokyo's Gakushuin University. But I'm not sure whenever I look into Japanese domestic politics. Kishida's premiership is not strong enough to maintain it. He needs many allies within his party. Some of his allies, such as Hayashi Yoshimasa, the incumbent Foreign minister, or probably Kono Taro, the former Foreign Minister and current Digital minister, might agree with deepening corporation with Seoul. But others, especially from so-called "far-right" groups more important to Kishda, will oppose it and insist Kishida demand more from Seoul. So inviting Yoon to the G7 meeting in his home constituency Hiroshima is the best thing Kishida could do. The situation in Seoul is worsening every day. Just yesterday, Yoon's top foreign policy advisor resigned with a lot of rumours about the event. The unusual resignation and the rumour surrounding it would be, by themselves, problematic. But the fact that they have emerged matters. The emergence of the rumours shows that the South Korean public is losing their trust in Yoons' presidency. Today, a poll by Gallup Korea says that public approval of Yoon's presidency dropped to 30 percent, declined 4 percentage points from the last week. I just briefly overviewed some visible elements of this issue. But this is more complicated than I presented here. There is a history of at least more than a century.

You’re looking at a preview of what relations between Russia and Ukraine will be like in the BEST case in the future.

Is there a pattern on when relations become good and bad and the type of government in each country? I believe currently both nations have a Conservative party running the government.

Both countries will come to an understanding. If not total agreement ... an understanding - in due time. This primarily to the acknowledgment of the 1 tonne gorilla that is China. Japan / South Korea individual might is -- much much weaker alone... but together, they are quite an influence; not just on China -- but perhaps even the entire subcontinents of the South East / North East Asian region.

How do you anticipate the Japano-Korean relationship will be impacted by the possible reunification of Korea?

South Korea is a regional power surrounded by superpowers. It will never truly align with any single nation permanently, and will often choose to counter balance foreign relationships. This was true as a kingdom during 19th century between Qing, Soviet Union, Japan, and United States. The last time they got this wrong, the entire nation literally ceased to exist. Hopefully, they get it right this time.

Slight correction, comfort women were actually called comfort girls because they were quite literally very young girls

Outstanding assessment of relations between south Korea and Japan. This dynamic is quite stark given how other countries can move forward after bad relations, as an example, the dynamic between Germany & France. As a first hand observer in Korea for many years it seems apparent that left wing political ideologues are most responsible for fanning the "flames of victimhood" in order to gain short term political gains due to the dynamic as they view right wing political adherents as the political progeny of collaborators with the Japanese colonial administrators. Additionally, a central aspect of Korean culture is pride and saving face. This cultural aspect, along with political dynamics in Korea, forms the decades long diplomatic road block. These factors combined with Japanese shame & embarrassment of their colonial history creates the cognitive desire to ignore the uncomfortable aspects of Japanese history, and their desire not to feel shame. Thanks for your balance objective analysis. As in any international relationship, all participants' actions contribute to the paradigm of different perspectives. Most likely because of cultural change in Germany, that nation has politically fully embraced the a new universal cultural concept of shame for their actions in the 1940s, but in Japan this cultural shift did not occur, so it could be postulated the different US occupational policies in Japan from Germany did not facilitate a cultral shift in the Japanese people. Again, thanks for your excellent work!

Is it incorrect to state that Japanese society has intrinsically recognized the past mistakes and horrors? It still seems hard to recognize it explicitly. It is not a sign of weakness to do it.

Too much history to overlook between Japan and Korea. It would take something like Japan directly supporting South Korean defense to mitigate the past. The occupation has left a much deeper negative thought then time will mitigate so far although this agreement helps.

If South Korea joins the security partnership program with Japan, India, Australia, and the USA, would they change the name of it from the QUAD to the QUINT?

This round of resetting of South Korean and Japan relationship would be just like all previous attempts. It lacks support at general population level. Until the time Japan acts in the same way as Germany in owning up to its colonia and war time past, its relationship with both Koreas and China will always build on instable foundation.

🇰🇷❤️🇯🇵

ROK: Never tought i would fight side by side with a japanese again

I think it will fail. The approval rate of the president of the Republic of Korea dropped significantly as a result of this meeting. Many Koreans don't think the president represents the major opinion on issues about Japan. Perhaps the future government will rescind the result again.

Well common threats usually bring countries together, even if they don't really like each other

the SK gov't didnt simply drop the call for Japan to pay compensation - SK govt agreed to indemnity and PAY compensation to the victims on behalf of the Japanese aggressors. the Japanese gov't didnt apologize for the crimes committed - the SK govt is now doing the apologizing.

You completely skipped the 2002 World Cup 🙄

🥰🥰

It seems like Japan and South Korea have a very delicate relationship that originates with significant trauma but since has involved a lot of goalpost-moving on both sides. As an American, I would like to see more cooperation between these two countries politically and defensively, but I recognize the barriers to such cooperation are significant to the populations of the two nations.

Japan should face it’s past and make a genuine, long-lasting and serious apology for it’s terrible human rights crimes just as GERMANY genuinely did. RS. Canada

I guess this issue really shows the importance of coming to grips with details of the nastier parts of your country's history. Given that Japan tries so hard to ignore a lot of the issues from their colonial past, they keep running into issues with countries like Korea and China. What exactly did Abe achieve by visiting that shrine? How is any Japanese persons life better when he basically trolls the Koreans?

Tensions and cooperation between Japan and South Korea work in cycles dependent on the party elected in South Korea in presidential elections. If a Democratic Party of Korea candidate is elected president in 2027, expect cooperation to peter out and tensions return. DPK candidates like to use the legacy of Japanese colonialism to appeal to left-wing voters. This is not helped by the fact that the Japanese government plainly refuses to apologise to South Korea for the grief it caused. However, with tensions rising between China and the US, I’d say cooperation may continue out of necessity rather than any real desire on both sides.

Well, all I can say is that Kim finally got his dream title *"The Great Unifier"*

!

In the Philippines we have a saying : "Forgive but never forget" Right now Japan and the Philippines relations are doing well and so are our relationship with South Korea and we Filipino's can't be more happier if they managed to mend their relationship.

I hope this ushers in a new, more positive era in relations. But Japan needs to own up what they did in Korea during WWII.

Now that I think about it South Korea is surrounded by stronger and bigger countries, yet it managed to avoid being taken and to this day it conservs its culture and language. Though is not perfect and suffers from financial and economic disparity, the korean people should be proud of their country and how it managed to remain how it is. Still, they are like the perfect pawn for the US to move around Asia. And when the US takes a liking to you, oh boy... It makes me feel sorry for them as well to be honest.

Well, thank you for explaining the relationship between Japan and South Korea objectively. I think it’s hard to improve relationship between the two countries basically because there are so many people gaining profit by criticizing Japan in South Korea (but mainly elderly people).But I don’t think it’s right to impose responsibility for this issue only to Koreans. In Japan, a part of people ( they are calling South Korea as “neighboring country” or “K country”🤣)have trend to justify hating Koreans( not only South Korean but those living in Japan)without trying to understand them objectively.

Japan has edited intensively its historical records of all its monstrous acts done during its invasion of its neighbours. So much so that in foreign libraries, japan's history books are placed in the Fantasy section, next to Harry Porter.

Im not sure why this is my take, but you look extremly Norwegian to me

I think there are many things to learn in Japan, and I hope that someday the relationship between Korea and Japan will improve. But before that, Japan should apologize to Korean Japanese Military Sexual Slaverys and victims of forced labor and continue to maintain that apology. It must not be reversed. Decades ago, Japan's great prime minister apologized, but the next prime minister immediately reversed his words and mocked and denied Korean Japanese Military Sexual Slaverys. The current Japanese prime minister even denies that Japan forced Koreans to work in Japan. Japan has now apologized and compensated only to China. There are not many living Japanese Military Sexual Slaverys and victims of forced labor left in Korea. They are now too old to live. Apologize sincerely before they leave.

off topic here but guess who at 00:10 had plastic surgery.

Sort of like Poland and Germany?

Well, this is a good news Also, South and North Korea also met for good. But I have a question and I would like your opinion on this. The new BRIC idea and the urge to Create ties and new alliances.. what do does this mean? Where does all of this leads to? I have a feeling something is cooking… and I don’t like the smell of it.

In two words, isn't the problem the legacy of 'Japanese chauvinism'?

Humanity should *learn from the past but not dwell on the past.* The way forward is for Japan to fully acknowledge the past atrocities and for Korea to drop all claims for financial reparations.

The far-right party in Romania, AUR, is using this (among many others) as evidence that we Romanians are second-class citizens in the European Union. Although we fulfill the right criterias since 2011 we weren't accepted because of being Romanians. Among many other things. For example (and this is a correct case, they're not lying about it, I checked other sources and it really happened) - An ethics teacher in Germany held a course about why stealing is wrong, during the course she turned to the only Romanian student she had in class and said "why don't you tell us more about robbery since you're Romanian?". I wish I was joking but this really happened in 2023. This is really ammo for far-right parties to point out discrimination and inferior treatment because we are Romanians, and the rejection of schengen was a God's sent gift for their popularity.

There's nothing like a unified threat to bring eternal enemies together. Isn't that marriage 😂, unification between couples against what the world has to offer.

Your videos deserve more attention. There are many people who profit from the bad relationship between Japan and South Korea. Japan and South Korea are terribly aging societies, so politicians want their votes. Politicians gain support from conservative seniors by taking a hardline stance on historical issues. If you have the chance, please make a video about the Japanese government's attitude towards Japan's war crimes and compensation. The prevailing opinion among English-speaking users is that Japan has not apologized for its war crimes, which is clearly wrong. There are also those who argue historical issues based on anti-Japanese propaganda films.

It's seems similar to what's going on with Russia and China. Their relationship is a lot more complicated than the "unlimited" partnership that Xi and Putin promote. There is a history, plus a lot of contentious issues beneath the surface of the relationship.

Really? The issue of comfort woman not forgotten.

I am skeptical of Japan's desire and ability to function as anything else than the US's chosen hall monitor in the region