President Yun Seok-yeol’s future-oriented message to Japan in his recent speeches and a road for rapprochement with Japan

Park Young-June

(yjpark607@daum.net)       

Professor,

Korea National Defense University​ 

English Abstract

Korea National Defense UniversityPresident Yoon Seok-yeol's August 15 Independence Day celebration and press conference on August 17 showed a strong will and direction to improve Korea-Japan relations. In other words, he indicated that Japan is South Korea’s neighbor who must work together to advance against challenges that threaten the freedom of citizens of the world, and that Japan and South Korea will develop bilateral relations in accordance with the spirit of the Kim Dae Jung-Obuchi Joint Declaration.

The president's willingness and direction to improve relations between Korea and Japan is desirable considering Korea's national identity and diplomatic and security interests. The government should in particular respond to North Korea's nuclear capabilities and strengthen its restraint system within the framework of South Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation. Moreover, it is necessary for South Korea to establish an alliance with Japan and other countries to enhance the credibility of the U.S. deterrence strategy. Furthermore, in order to stabilize regional order, South Korea needs to actively participate in the Indo-Pacific strategy and the QUAD and promote wide-ranging security cooperation with related countries, including Japan. ​