Japan-South Korea relations: the long road ahead
South Korea and Japan are strengthening ties amidst mutual challenges, including North Korean missile threats, China’s maritime ambitions, and Russia’s growing assertiveness, marking a step toward regional stability despite lingering historical tensions. (Image: iStock.com/seolbin)
South Korea and Japan are two regional powerhouse countries in global affairs today. Located nearly 1,000 kilometers away from each other, the two democracies face existential threats from North Korea and potential aggression from China and Russia.
Despite these common threats, Seoul and Tokyo have not had the best relations. Recently, they have made steps towards rapprochement, which could not only benefit them in the defense and economic spheres but also continue to bolster a safer and more secure East Asia region that can come together in the event of future threats.
Scars of colonial rule
Turbulent relations between Seoul and Tokyo date back to the Imperial Japanese era. Originally an independent Korean Empire after being freed from its tributary status under the Qing Dynasty, the Koreans were annexed by Japan on August 29th, 1910.
Imperial rule was brutal. Not only was the Korean language prohibited, but over 5.4 million Koreans were forcibly conscripted into mines and factories and later into the military during WWII.
The infamous tactic of “comfort women” was used by the Japanese army in which hundreds of thousands of women ranging from as young as 12 to elderly were forced to provide sexual service to soldiers.
This rule is a major reason why Koreans saw the atomic bombings in a positive light and why both Koreas have nuclear ambitions—with the North already achieving their sovereign yet belligerent program.
Common threats but no mutual defense
The South Korean government received compensation for Japanese rule upon normalization of relations in 1965. But many Koreans, both at home and in the diaspora, have also pushed for individual compensation. Historically, Tokyo has either declined to face the horrors of their rule or openly denied them.
For example, when the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to a memorandum with Seoul over comfort women, he fell under pressure from his own party and issued this clarification to parliament: “There was no document found that the comfort women were forcibly taken away.”
The United States government has maintained delicate relations between both countries but indirectly played a role in the historical differences. In the aftermath of WWII, America pardoned many Japanese officials and military officers in the interest of combating communist influence. This gave Japanese historians and politicians leeway to deny violent events in South Korea and other countries in Asia.
Currently, with South Korea and Japan facing common threats from North Korean missiles, China’s maritime ambitions, and Russia’s renewed imperial irredentism, they are looking to overcome the past.
Mending relations
In a development that reflects growing diplomatic ties for the first time in four years, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol have met twice in the last two years.
Both nations cooperate in trade and security. South Korea sends Japan regular intelligence and data on potential North Korean missile launches and troop movements.
In July, General Yoshihide Yoshida, the top Japanese General, praised growing military relations with South Korea. Yoshida wishes to see Japan, South Korea, and America together to demonstrate strength and unity for regional peace and stability.
General Yoshida’s meeting with South Korean Admiral Kim Myung-Soo was monumental. The two top East Asian defense chiefs came together for the first time in six years after the diplomatic incidents. Both nations pledged to avoid naval mishaps as the growing regional military powers looked to avoid diplomatic incidents between one another.
This cementing of security ties between its allies is crucial for the United States, given its own political uncertainties. Potential isolationism and a lack of strong foreign policies negatively affect both Democrats and Republicans on the global stage.
Political gridlock and the slow pace of the coalition of the willing in the West helped embolden Russia, which is also a threat to South Korea and Japan after the former solidified a major defense pact with North Korea and withdrew from the WWII-era treaty with Japan over the Kuril Islands. Despite Western indecision and slow-trickling aid, Japan and South Korea both stepped up to counter Russia’s threats.
Against the backdrop of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Japan has pledged $12 billion, making Tokyo one of the top economic donors during the war thus far. Likewise, South Korea is also a major donor to Ukraine, as Seoul donated the second most artillery shells to Kyiv in 2023. The West lagged in 2023 and has plans to send more aid as Moscow and Pyongyang become more belligerent.
Understanding in the economic, political, and defense spheres
A major obstacle to growing relations between Tokyo and Seoul is the question of how to navigate threats from Beijing, as China is the top trade partner of both. The two countries are also increasingly skeptical of the heightened irredentism rhetoric by Xi Jinping.
South Korea’s former positive perception of China has declined with Beijing’s crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong, and a string of attacks against Japanese and other nationals in China could be traced back to Chinese diplomatic rhetoric. Their growing defense industries, combined with diplomatic soft power and close-knit relations with the US, make Seoul and Tokyo a counterbalance to Beijing.
In the entertainment industry, South Korea and Japan have near-similar comics. Korean Manhwa shares a sense of resemblance with Japanese manga, which are both popular in East Asia and the West. Shared television, such as “Eye Love You,” can draw citizens from both countries closer to the historical differences.
Though mutual perception between Japanese and South Koreans has not yet reached majority-favorable, increased tourism, work visas, and foreign exchange students could create more positive perceptions. The younger generation in both societies views growing ties more positively. Still, the youth in South Korea also have not forgotten the war crimes. There is still potential for conflict if historical ties aren’t mended.
Julian McBride, a former U.S. Marine, is a forensic anthropologist and independent journalist born in New York. He reports and documents the plight of people around the world who are affected by conflicts, rogue geopolitics, and war, and also tells the stories of war victims whose voices are never heard. His bylines can be found in the National Security Journal, Byline Times, 19FortyFive, Heritage Daily, The Defense Post, Journal of Forensic Psychology, Modern Warfare Institute, and UK Defence Journal.
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- Japan-South Korea relations: the long road ahead - November 23, 2024