Yoon's Diplomacy Divides Ruling and Opposition Parties: "Decision" vs "Diplomatic Defeat"

The evaluations of the recent Korea-Japan summit vary drastically between the ruling and opposition parties. The ruling party highly praises President Yoon Seok-yeol's decisive actions, citing the restoration of GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement) and the lifting of export restrictions as major achievements. However, the opposition party gave a negative assessment, even mentioning the term 'Naeseon Ilche' (內鮮一體), criticizing that the restoration of GSOMIA and lifting of export restrictions only benefited Japan.

Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party and former chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said on the 17th on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' that the summit marked "the first step toward a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship." He gave a positive evaluation, stating, "The Moon Jae-in administration made no efforts to resolve the forced labor issue, which was the biggest conflict and obstacle in Korea-Japan relations, but this issue has now been temporarily settled."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He cited the restoration of GSOMIA as the greatest gain. He explained, "The most difficult issue we currently face is the severe international situation. The GSOMIA, a Korea-Japan intelligence-sharing agreement, had been conditionally suspended, but it has now been fully normalized. Additionally, Korea and Japan can hold strategic talks at the vice-ministerial level, defense and foreign affairs director-level talks, and newly established economic security dialogues at the National Security Council (NSC) level." He also mentioned the lifting of export restrictions on semiconductor core materials such as hydrogen fluoride and photoresist, as well as the establishment of a future partnership fund as achievements.

Taeyoung-ho, a former North Korean diplomat and member of the People Power Party, also emphasized on YTN's 'News King Park Ji-hoon' that "(GSOMIA) is a very important issue," adding, "In the early flight phase of North Korean missile launches, we have more accurate information, but in the final phase, Japan has more precise data. To accurately determine the final launch point, we need to share real-time information with Japan." He stressed that GSOMIA with Japan can prevent 'accidental war' through real-time information sharing.

Kim Geun-sik, chairman of the People Power Party's Unification Committee, said on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "President Yoon's approach to resolving Korea-Japan relations through the summit should be seen not as a negotiation in the traditional sense but as a new paradigm of decisive action," adding, "It is about avoiding the vicious cycle of endlessly reversing and apologizing for historical issues."

On the other hand, Yoon Geon-young, a member of the Democratic Party and former head of the Blue House's National Situation Room under the Moon Jae-in administration, criticized, "When President Yoon said that 'the national interests of South Korea and Japan are the same, practically identical,' the term 'Naeseon Ilche' from the Japanese colonial era came to mind." He called it "a humiliating diplomacy where the victim, us, is desperately clinging while the perpetrator, Japan, remains passive." Naeseon Ilche was a slogan used during the Japanese colonial period to fully integrate Joseon into Japan.

He added, "If this was the way to restore Korea-Japan relations, the Moon administration would have done it hundreds or thousands of times," revealing that the Moon government had even received unofficial proposals with better conditions than the current ones.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Jae-jung, the Democratic Party's ranking member of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said that the restoration of GSOMIA "was not something we wanted but something Japan needed," and added, "I cannot agree with packaging this as our achievement." He referred to North Korea's submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launch in 2021, saying, "One SLBM was launched, but Japan initially said two. Later, Japan corrected it to one. There are points in missile launches from various angles where Japan needs South Korea's data and intelligence."

Regarding Japan's lifting of semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment (SoBuJang) export restrictions after three years, he said, "SoBuJang independence has been achieved," and "Japan needed many things related to the three major export-restricted items. From the perspective of Japanese companies, exports should have been allowed."

Criticism also arose over the Dokdo territorial issue. NHK reported that Japanese Prime Minister Kishida mentioned 'Dokdo' during the Korea-Japan summit, but the Blue House rebutted, saying, "Dokdo was not discussed during the summit." In response, former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won said on YTN's 'News King Park Ji-hoon,' "As the Japanese Prime Minister, it is perhaps natural to say, 'I have resolved the comfort women issue,' and 'Dokdo is Japanese territory.' But if our president remains silent, it would be seen as acceptance," adding, "I believe NHK and similar outlets will definitely broadcast such statements."

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