Direction for the ROK-Japan Diplomatic and Security Cooperation

No. 2019-11 Current Issues & Policies

Dr. Park Young June

(yjpark607@daum.net)

Professor,

College of National Security,

Korea National Defense University

Recently, Korea-Japan relations are dangerously deviating from the track of basic cooperation in security and diplomacy established under the Kim Dae-jung administration. “Reconciliation and Healing Foundation” for victims of Japanese Military ‘comfort women,’ established through an agreement between the two countries in the previous administration was dissolved by the current government. In response, Japan criticizes the Korean government for changing its goals everytime the administration changes. The Korean Supreme Court ruled that Japanese companies who used force labor during the Japanese colonial rule must pay reparations to those workers. Regarding this verdict, Japan claims that it is overturning the bilateral agreement of normalizing relations between Korea and Japan made in 1965. To make matters worse, the Korean government did not allow the vessels of Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) hoisting “The Rising Sun Flag” to participate in the Jeju International Fleet Review. In addition, the Japanese P-1 patrol aircraft on the East Sea claimed that they were aimed at by the Korean Destroyer’s fire control radar. The conflict between the two countries over historical issues is now extending to security issues.

Such neglect of the deteriorating relations between Seoul and Tokyo can become an obstacle to our national strategy. In order to establish a peace regime on the Korean peninsula, which is the Moon Administration’s goal, Seoul needs cooperation and understanding from Tokyo. The Korean government expressed its policy of cooperation with the neighboring 4 countries in the process of denuclearizing North Korea and establishing a peace regime on the Korean peninsula in the National Security Strategy published last year. From this point of view, it is not in the interest of our strategic policy to let troubles with Tokyo spill over into national security.

Also, for the future-oriented development of the ROK-US alliance, cooperative relations with Japan are essential. In order for the ROK-US alliance to function smoothly, it is indispensable to have a security cooperation network with United States Forces Japan (USF-J) and Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), who operate seven United Nations Commnad-Rear (UNC-R) bases. Deteriorating relations between Seoul and Tokyo is also a nuisance to the Indo-Pacific strategy of the U.S., which aims to establish an order of stability, peace, freedom of navigation and rule of law in the region. As a US ally, it is best to avoid policy choices that put a strain on the US global strategy.

Moreover, we cannot oversee the situation where deteriorating relations are seriously undermining Japan’s preference toward Korea. In its Defense strategy paper published in 2018, compared to the 2013 edition, Japan lists Korea behind Australia, India, and ASEAN. According to a poll on diplomatic relations conducted annually by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 39% of Japanese people had a favorable impression of Korea, which is down from 57% a decade ago. From a soft power perspective, having a more favorable impression in neighboring countries can be a significant diplomatic asset to Korea. In the interest of facilitating Korean public diplomacy, we cannot neglect the current trend of decreasing preference.

Thus, careful policy making is needed to restore good relations between Seoul and Tokyo. During the denuclearization process of North Korea, Seoul and Tokyo must closely share information to find ways to cooperate. Under the shared strategy of “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” the U.S. and Japan are emphasizing principles such as freedom of navigating the seas and rule of law, which are in line with our national interest. While we must avoid confrontation with Beijing, we must consistently proclaim our commitment to democracy and capitalism, as well as rule of law and freedom of navigation in various international arenas and resolve the suspicion from Japan that we are increasingly leaning toward China. Moreover, senior officials, as well as the President Moon must approach the Japanese government and the civil society and explain Korean policies to enhance their understanding. During the Kim Dae-Jung administration, when Korea and Japan mutually opened up and shared pop culture, Korean pop culture was received with great sensation in Japan as contrary to our concern. As such, vibrant exchange and contact in public diplomacy must be expanded. Korea must utilize opportunities such as the G20 conference in Osaka and the Japanese emperor’s official coronation ceremony to restore Korea–Japan relations.