Right : <Son Seok-ui, Research Fellow (Northeast Asian History Foundation) — Discussion>

The international academic conference “A Journey toward Symbiosis and Prosperity,” held at the Lotte Hotel Seoul (Sogong-dong) in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Korea–Japan normalization of relations, is continuing its second-day program. Sessions organized by the Northeast Asian History Foundation — <New Directions in Research on Korea–Japan Talks>, <Korea–Japan Relations and Historical Perceptions>, and <Korea–Japan Local Exchanges and Subnational Diplomacy> — are being held, where discussions exploring the history and future of Korea–Japan relations are underway.

Research Fellow Jo Yoon-su (Northeast Asian History Foundation), in the presentation titled “New Possibilities in Research on Korea–Japan Talks,” emphasized that, following the opening of diplomatic documents, research on Korea–Japan talks has shifted from being “results-focused” to centering on the “negotiation process.”
Research Fellow Nam Sang-gu (Northeast Asian History Foundation), in the presentation “Perceptions and Responses of the Governments of Korea and Japan to Historical Issues,” stressed that to overcome the fundamental perceptual differences between the two governments regarding historical issues, sustained governmental efforts are necessary to narrow the perceptual gap between the peoples of the two countries.
Jeong Eun-jeong, Head of the Education & Training Team (Northeast Asian History Foundation), in the presentation “Achievements and Tasks of Korea–Japan Civic Movements,” argued that, building on past solidarity achievements, it is necessary to establish an international civic-solidarity identity beyond nationalism, diversify modes of exchange, actively involve younger generations, and secure stable financing to sustain civic society activities.
Research Fellow Seok Ju-hee presented “Local Diplomacy between Korea and Japan and the Building of Trust Relations,” emphasizing that “local diplomacy is not mere exchange but a process of building social networks that accumulate trust.”

Park Ji-hang, Chairperson of the Northeast Asian History Foundation, said, “This international academic conference commemorating the 60th anniversary of Korea–Japan normalization of relations was a meaningful occasion to look back on the past 60 years and to jointly design the next 60 years. I hope it will lead to policy cooperation between the two countries and the expansion of social consensus.”