Concerns Raised Over Suga's Early Actions Without Mentioning 'Hanil Gwangye'

In the new cabinet, claims that 'Korea violates international law'... Mirror image of Abe cabinet
Korean government emphasizes 'dialogue for development of Korea-Japan relations'... Maintains two-track policy on historical issues and practical cooperation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] With intense interest focused on whether Japan-South Korea relations will change following Yoshihide Suga's inauguration as Japan's Prime Minister, attention is now on Suga's initial moves in office.

For now, voices of concern outweigh expectations. Although President Moon Jae-in and Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun emphasized "dialogue for the development of Japan-South Korea relations" in their congratulatory letters, Prime Minister Suga has yet to make any remarks regarding bilateral relations. Moreover, the new cabinet has issued sharp statements similar to those during former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration, accusing South Korea of "violating international law."

In a press conference held 16 days after his inauguration, Prime Minister Suga stated, "We will develop our foreign policy centered on the alliance with the United States," and added, "We want to build stable relations with neighboring countries, including China and Russia," but made no mention of South Korea.

Although South Korea was omitted, Suga expressed his position on Japan-North Korea relations. He said, "Our goal is to conclude postwar diplomacy and to devote all efforts to resolving the abduction issue (Japanese abducted by North Korea)." He further added, "We will work closely with related countries such as the United States to ensure that all abductees can return home," and noted, "My close relationship with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was also due to the North Korean abduction issue, which remains the most important task, just as it was under the Abe administration."

Instead, remarks on Japan-South Korea relations came from key ministers retained in the Suga cabinet, which was formed with many members from the Abe cabinet. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at a press conference following the first cabinet meeting, "There is no doubt that the side violating international law is South Korea," but added, "We want to firmly resolve issues through dialogue." While mentioning resolution through dialogue, he reaffirmed the Abe administration's stance accusing South Korea of violating international law.

The Democratic Party and the Justice Party immediately expressed regret. Democratic Party spokesperson Choi Ji-eun stated in a comment, "This will result in remaining stuck in the past without improving the strained Japan-South Korea relations," and Justice Party spokesperson Jo Hye-min criticized, "We regret the immature actions of Japan's Suga cabinet, which is repeating the mistakes of the Abe administration."

Accordingly, diplomatic circles view that tensions in Japan-South Korea relations are likely to continue for the time being. The South Korean government plans to maintain a 'two-track' approach to bilateral relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a spokesperson's comment after Suga's election, "The government will actively cooperate with Prime Minister Suga and the new cabinet to wisely overcome historical issues and strengthen practical cooperation in future-oriented and mutually beneficial ways across economic, cultural, and human exchanges."

Earlier, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha took a cautious stance on the outlook for Japan-South Korea relations during her appearance before the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the 31st of last month, emphasizing, "Historical issues are difficult to resolve, but we have a two-track approach to consult on those issues while developing practical cooperation."

In the short to medium term, whether Japan-South Korea relations improve will depend on how both countries resolve issues such as the liquidation of Japanese companies' domestic assets related to forced labor during Japanese colonial rule and South Korea's World Trade Organization (WTO) complaint against Japan's export restrictions.

Former National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang emphasized in a written interview with the foreign and security quarterly 'Hanmi Journal,' "Neglecting Japan-South Korea relations is detrimental to both countries," and added, "We must immediately work toward a solution, which may surprisingly be simple." He also mentioned the 'Moon Hee-sang Plan' he proposed to improve bilateral relations.

Former Speaker Kim Hyung-o stated, "The longer discord in Japan-South Korea relations continues, the greater the damage we suffer in almost all areas including diplomacy, security, and the economy," and argued, "The answer to the twisted Japan-South Korea relations is for those responsible to resolve it themselves."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.