Japanese Media: "South Korea Returns to Conservative Rule After 5 Years... Hopes for Improved Korea-Japan Relations"

"President-elect Yoon Prioritizes Normalizing Korea-Japan and Korea-US Relations"
Concerns Over Further Deterioration Depending on Handling of Historical Issues

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is celebrating his victory on the 10th at the People Power Party's vote counting situation room set up at the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Japanese media on the 10th prominently reported the news that Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party candidate, was elected as the 20th President of the Republic of Korea. Foreign media focused on the return of a conservative government after five years and expressed expectations that the historically worst Korea-Japan relations would improve.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that day, "The conservative forces have regained power in Korea after five years," adding, "Korea-Japan relations will be determined by the results of the exceptionally close Korean presidential election."

It continued, "Yoon, who criticized the Moon Jae-in administration's diplomacy as 'pro-China and pro-North Korea humiliating diplomacy,' prioritizes restoring relations with Japan and the United States to normal. He also stated that the Korea-Japan General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), which the Moon administration once sought to terminate, will be maintained, and expressed his intention to meet with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida after talks with U.S. President Joe Biden following his inauguration."

Yoon pledged to progressively inherit the fundamental spirit and purpose of the 1998 'Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration' (Joint Declaration on a New Korea-Japan Partnership for the 21st Century) and has expressed his willingness to improve Korea-Japan relations.

Kyodo News reported, "With Yoon's victory, there is a high possibility of improvement in Korea-Japan relations," adding, "He intends to resolve outstanding issues between Korea and Japan, such as historical disputes and Japan's export restrictions on Korea, through a comprehensive settlement."

TBS introduced Yoon's promise to resume 'shuttle diplomacy,' where the Korea and Japan heads of state regularly visit each other's countries, and the Yomiuri Shimbun explained, "Yoon shows enthusiasm for early improvement of Korea-Japan relations."

The Sankei Shimbun predicted, "Yoon clearly intends to aim for the restoration of Korea-Japan relations and strengthening of Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation after his inauguration," adding, "He is also reviewing the Moon administration's conciliatory policy toward North Korea, which is expected to significantly impact international cooperation on North Korea's nuclear missile issues."

NHK reported that since Yoon has shown enthusiasm for trilateral cooperation among Korea, the U.S., and Japan on North Korea's nuclear and missile issues, voices welcoming his election are emerging within Japan.

However, given the complicated Korea-Japan issues such as South Korean court rulings on compensation for forced laborers and Japanese military comfort women victims, as well as Japan's export restrictions on Korea, there are also forecasts that improving bilateral relations, which are at their worst level since normalization in 1965, will not be easy.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun mentioned Yoon's statement that he "will not use diplomacy with Japan for domestic politics," noting, "He advocates a comprehensive resolution of issues including historical disputes," but warned, "If the response to issues such as compensation for forced laborers is mishandled, Korea-Japan relations could worsen further."

NHK reported, "Although the Japanese government plans to promote improved relations following the change of government in Korea, there are also forecasts that it will be difficult to close the gap between the two countries due to issues such as forced labor."

Kyodo News reported, "Since historical issues are matters Korea must handle, there will be no dramatic change regardless of who becomes the new president," adding, "There are also forecasts that improving bilateral relations will not be easy even after Yoon takes office."

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