2016 Osaka Symposium on ROK-Japan Relations

On April 8, 2016, the Sejong Institute held its 2^nd Symposium on ROK-Japan Relations in Osaka, Japan on the theme of “Current Affairs Surrounding North Korea and Expectation for the ROK-Japan Relations.” South Korea’s Consul General to Osaka Ha Tae-yun gave his congratulatory remarks at the onset of the symposium which commenced with opening remarks given by President Chang Soo Jin of the Sejong Institute and Preisdent Hyun-seok Yu of the Korea Foundation. During the first session, which was moderated by former Japanese Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto, the discussants talked about the “Expectation and Tasks for the ROK-Japanese Relations in the Aftermath of the ROK-Japan Summit and DPRK’s 4th Nuclear Test.” Professor Kan Kimura of Kobe University and Director Seong-chang Cheong from the Unification Strategy Studies Department at the Sejong Institute presented on the topic of “Overcoming Mutual Distrust: The Comfort Women Deal and Structural Change” and “Changes in DPRK Since Kim Jon-un's Ascent to Power: Considering Possible Areas for ROK-Japanese Cooperation,” respectively. During this session, NHK Executive Commentator Tadashi Ideishi, Mainichi commentator Katsumi Sawada, visiting fellow Tai Hwan Kwon of the Sejong Institute, Professor Shunji Hiraiwa from Kwansei Gakuin University, and senior fellow Daewoo Lee of the Sejong Institute participated as panelists for discussion.

A roundtable discussion followed on the topic of “ROK-Japanese Relations amid a New Northeast Asian Order” during the second session moderated by President Chang Soo Jin. Professor Jae-jung Chung of University of Seoul, the Asahi Shimbun’s correspondent and commentator Tetsuya Hakoda, visiting fellow Boonko Osawa of the Sejong Institute and others from the first session participated for an active discussion. ​