"Second After the US" Japanese Media Focuses on Delegation's Visit to Japan

Expectations for Improvement in Korea-Japan Relations
Concerns Over Historical Issues Holding Back Progress

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Local media expressed expectations for the improvement of Korea-Japan relations following President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's dispatch of a Korea-Japan policy consultation delegation to Japan.

On the 25th, Yomiuri Shimbun evaluated President-elect Yoon's sending of a delegation to Japan as the second destination after the United States as a "stance that values Japan" and described it as "an effort to improve Korea-Japan relations, which deteriorated under the Moon Jae-in administration."

This is the first time in 14 years since former President Lee Myung-bak in 2008 that a Korean president-elect has dispatched a special envoy delegation to Japan before inauguration.

Sankei Shimbun also stated that it "shows President-elect Yoon's stance of valuing the US and Japan," and NHK analyzed it as "an effort to find a clue to improve the frozen Korea-Japan relations ahead of the new government's launch."

However, there are concerns that improving bilateral relations will not be easy due to historical issues such as forced labor and the Japanese military comfort women issue.

Asahi Shimbun said, "Since the two countries have significantly different positions on issues such as forced labor, it is uncertain whether Korea-Japan relations will improve with the change of government in Korea." It also explained, "This is the reason why there are opinions within the ruling party that Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's visit to Korea is premature, even under the pretext of attending the presidential inauguration."

Sankei Shimbun reported on the delegation's visit to Japan, saying, "There were expectations that Korea-Japan relations would improve when the Park Geun-hye administration was launched, but relations rather worsened," and added, "Within the Japanese government, there is a strong voice cautioning against a preemptive atmosphere of improving bilateral relations."

Meanwhile, the delegation is reportedly scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Kishida around the 27th. Asahi Shimbun reported that "final arrangements are being made for Prime Minister Kishida and the delegation to meet at the Prime Minister's Official Residence around the 27th."

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