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In the early 21st century, Korea and Japan were determined to usher in a new era, a new millenium, for their relationship. After hosting the 2002 World Cup together, the two countries declared the year 2005 as the "Korea-Japan Friendship Year." Ironically, however, the bilateral relations began to change for the worse early that year 2005 as the so-called "Takeshima Day" was started by the Shimane Prefecture of Japan and the ultra-right-wing Japanese history textbooks were approved without revision by the government. So much for the "Friendship Year!"

Ten years later in 2015, the 50th year since Korea and Japan restored their diplomatic ties, the bilateral relations are still so strained that the two heads of state haven't even met for a summit yet in the nearly three years they've been in office. And if and when they will meet for a summit is still uncertain. Korea and Japan are close neighbors with over 10,000 people travelling between the two countries every day these days, but the clock of history between the two countries seems to have been turned backwards. That's a shame because it threatens to render the historical experience accumulated between the two countries meaningless. We have this situation because we didn't know or care much about history. Therefore, we need to start taking a hard look at history before it's too late. After all, history is where we can find ideas for improving the increasingly strained Korea-Japan relations.

Back in 2010, the centennial of the Japanese occupation of Korea, a special TV program "Korea and Japan" was produced by KBS and NHK, the national broadcasters of the two countries, to highlight different aspects of Korea-Japan relations over the past two millennia. I was involved in the production of that program, and worked with the staff of both broadcasters. Travelling back and forth between Korea and Japan. I felt as though I were one of those Korean envoys sent to Japan during the Joseon Dynasty (a.k.a. Joseon Tongsinsa in Korean). And I could see that the two production teams were working in one mind. As the Korean statesman from the Goryeo Dynasty Shin Suk-ju said in his last words, Korea and Japan need to seek ways for coexistence if they are to survive together, and to that end they need to communicate with each other.

Friendship and Animosity, Two Faces of the Same Coin

History shows that over the past two millennia Korea and Japan have had a very complex relationship, which I would like to think has gone through the following five phases, where it 'was established,' 'turned hostile,' 'enjoyed co-existence.' 'was tested,' and then 'was reestablished.'

Once the Yayoi (彌生) culture, the foundation of ancient Japanese culture, was established largely on the basis of rice agriculture and iron tools, both of which were introduced to Japan by people from the Korean Peninsula, the Yamato Dynasty, the first ancient state in Japan, was in close exchange with Baekje, one of the ancient states in the Korean Peninsula. But once Goryeo and Mongolia attacked its mainland, Japan started viewing Korea as 'an enemy' for it to get even with. Korea, too, started regarding Japan as an enemy as its seas became infested with Japanese pirates and its land was invaded by Japan through the Imjin War. However, Joseon Tongsinsa helped the two countries change the age of plunder into an age of coexistence, and enjoy co-existence and co-prosperity by ushering in an age of peace after the age of war marked by the Imjin War.

But when the Western powers advanced into the East for exploitation and colonization, Korea and Japan took different paths in dealing with them. Consequently, Japan ended up annexing Korea by force, and their relationship broke down. Japan occupied and suppressed Korea for 36 years, and this left issues that still remain unresolved. That explains why many wounds are still not healed, even after fifty years have passed since their diplomatic ties were restored and their relationship was reestablished. The manner in which their relationship is reestablished is important now.

Looking back on the two millennia of Korea-Japan relations, I realize, among many other things, that friendship and animosity are not separate but two faces of the same coin. Therefore, a country should not break off its relations with its neighbor even if the neighbor looks like an enemy. Instead, it should take the initiative in improving their relations. Remember that during the 500 years of the Joseon Dynasty, Korea didn't return hostility with hostility but initiated the good-neighbor policy that transformed plunder into coexistence, and war into peace. To Korea, Japan is still 'a close yet distant neighbor' or 'a distant yet close neighbor.' Korea should remember what it means to be good neighbors and reach out first to Japan, especially when it feels distant.

No Other Way but to Resume Historical Dialogue

In recent years, the three East Asian countries have made strange diplomatic moves that went against their strategic interests while unwittingly helping out the others.

The Japanese government, for example, feeling threatened by an aggressive China, is strengthening its alliance with the United States while hurrying to become a normal state. The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe thinks that making Japan a normal state is more important than getting diplomacy in Asia back to normal, or anything else, for that matter. Mr. Abe's ambiguous attitude toward historical issues has encouraged Korea and China to become close to each other. Strategically speaking, Japan should have embraced Korea in order to cope with China. Ironically, Japan has done the opposite, pushing Korea into the arms of China. Korea, although aware of the need to improve its relationship with Japan, wouldn't reach out to Japan until and unless Japan makes gestures of repentance first. Words of repentance and remorse have been repeated countless times, but what's the point? It is more necessary to forge a real partnership than it is to only say or hear words of repentance.

None of the three countries will benefit from a situation where they are hostile to one another. Let us recall how Korea maintained peace during the Joseon Dynasty by sending envoys to China and Japan.

There are four prerequisites for turning an international relationship into a friendly one: history, system, international situation, and leadership. To bury history is to bury the possibility of creating new mutual relationships. System is a means of maintaining equal rights and obligations. International situation creates bilateral or multilateral relations. Most importantly, leadership requires vision and the determination to shape opinions within the country. To resolve historical issues, it is necessary to establish organizations like the 'Korea-Japan Joint History Research Committee' to keep historical dialogue going. At the same time, it is necessary for the leaders of the three countries to create a system for tripartite cooperation while seeking to find new solutions.

This year marks the 70th year since Korea was liberated from the Japanese occupation, and the 50th year since the two countries normalized their diplomatic relations. We need to strengthen cooperation and build trust among the three countries while trying to find solutions to the problems that get in the way. But that would be impossible if confrontation continued. I hope that the leaders of the three countries will not hesitate to exercise their leadership in making this year 'the year of a new beginning' that is meaningful to all. After all, it's better late than never.