뉴스레터

Editor's Note: The International Conference on the 50th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between Korea and Japan was held in Jeju Island from the 17th to 19th of June in 2015, hosted by the Northeast Asian History Foundation and the Institute of Japanese Studies at Kookmin University, among others. The 1965 normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries marked the beginning of a new bilateral relationship that overcame the period of colonial rule in the early 20th century and the ensuing hiatus after liberation. And this year of 2015 is a meaningful year because it marks the 50th anniversary of such a milestone. Professor Kimiya Tadashi, one of the participants in the conference, gave an interview to Research Fellow at the NAHF Cho, Youn Soo about the present Korea-Japan relations and ways to improve them.

Cho, Youn Soo You studied in Korea in the 1980s, when only a very limited number of people were studying Korea. Why did you decide to study Korea?

Kimiya Tadashi I wasn't particularly interested in Korea or its relationship with Japan from the beginning. Initially, my interest was in international political affairs viewed from the perspective of the periphery. As an approach to studying this topic, I began to pay attention to the Third World. And the Park Chung-hee regime was a case study that piqued my interest. My research began with a quest to answer such questions as what limitations developing countries like Korea faced as they pushed for economic growth in the capitalist system of world economy, and what opportunities they had, and what domestic politico-economic systems they put in place in response to such opportunities and limitations. In the beginning, my research was guided by my interest in international politics in general, rather than that it was about Korea.

Cho, Youn Soo You are considered to be one of the best experts on Korean society in Japan. What are some of the most rewarding experiences in your career of studying Korea?

Kimiya Tadashi While studying Korea, I have expanded the scope of my research to include the history of the Cold War surrounding the Korean Peninsula, the periphery and semiperiphery of the capitalist world economy, and both political and economic aspects of Korea joining the ranks of advanced countries. The Cold War and the capitalist world economy are the elements that defined the post-WWII world politics and economy. And I was able to gain a tangible understanding of them through my research on Korea and the Korean Peninsula, which also allowed me to carefully consider the direction in which Japan should go.

Cho, Youn Soo Many are concerned that Korea-Japan relations are worse than ever, since the 1965 Korea-Japan Agreement. Some think that this is due to structural changes, such as the end of the Cold War and Korea's economic growth.

Kimiya Tadashi I agree. There are several structural factors responsible for worsening Korea-Japan relations. The first is that the ties between Korea and Japan are not as strong as they used to be as the Cold War has ended and South Korea has won the race against the North. The second is that with the development of Korea, the once vertical and complementary Korea-Japan relations have changed into horizontal and competing ones. The third is the rise of China as a world power and the shift of power in East Asia. Given these structural constraints, improving Korea-Japan relations is not a simple matter.

However, I don't think that the situation where Korea-Japan relations are getting worse is structurally inevitable. And there are various ways in which the governments and societies of Korea and Japan can perceive and respond to such structural changes. Even though there are a number of possibilities for coexistence while structural changes are taking place, I think that both countries keep narrowing the range of choices and thereby precluding such possibilities.

Cho, Youn Soo Hate speech and such seem to suggest that even ordinary citizens are growing sick and tired of Korea-Japan relations. There was a time in Japan when the enormous popularity of Korean pop culture (the Korean Wave) led to the fad of learning Korean, but nowadays even researchers of Korea in Japan tend to try to avoid speaking about Korea.

Kimiya Tadashi Indeed, researchers of Korea in Japan tend to be reluctant to speak these days. But I don't feel that freedom of the press is restricted that much. I am fortunate to have opportunities to speak through a number of media. And I will use those opportunities to share my humble view on why improving Korea-Japan relations is necessary, and what is needed to do so. At a recent meeting of a society within the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, a comment was made to the effect that those in power (lawmakers from the ruling party) may use their power to pressure the press. To be honest, I was shocked that such an outspoken comment was made at all by the Japanese ruling party.

Cho, Youn Soo Having read the diplomatic documents from the Korea-Japan talks of 1965. I can see why some parts of them have been criticized. But at the same time, I think that they also include some parts that reflect the wisdom of ancestors. Can you name some Koreans and Japanese who you think contributed to the Korea-Japan Agreement?

Kimiya Tadashi I'll answer your question, running the risk of drawing people's fire. As for the Koreans, they were obviously Park Chung-hee and Kim Jong-pil. As for the Japanese, they were Ikeda Hayato (池田勇人), Sato Eisaku (佐藤榮作), and Ohira Masayoshi (大平正芳). They pushed for the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries in the belief in the need for it, even though they knew that they would face criticism from their peoples.

Cho, Youn Soo In Korea, expectations for improvement in the strained Korea-Japan relations were raised as both President Park Geun-hye of Korea and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan attended the reception held on June 22, 2015 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Korea-Japan Agreement. What about in Japan?

Kimiya Tadashi My impression is that Japanese sentiment toward Korea has definitely changed for the better. Supposedly, President Park decided to attend the reception and then notified Prime Minister Abe of her decision. Anyway, I'd like to praise both of them for their decision to attend the reception together. But there has been increasing distrust in the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his controversial off-the-record comment that appeared on a Japanese weekly magazine after the reception. In Japan, there have been reports that expressed distrust in Korea in connection with Korea's objection to world heritage status for some Japanese sites. Under the circumstances, I think it too hasty to predict that Korea-Japan relations will improve soon.

Cho, Youn Soo In both Korea and Japan, the need for a new paradigm that goes beyond the 1965 system has been addressed. What do you think about that? And what do you think is absolutely needed for the resolution of historical conflict between Korea and Japan and for their amicable relationship in the future?

Professor Kimiya Tadashi addressing the
'International Conference on the 50th
Anniversary of the Normalization of
Diplomatic Relations between Korea
and Japan' in Jeju Island

Kimiya Tadashi A new and ground-breaking paradigm would be great if it was something acceptable by the Korean and Japanese governments and societies alike. But in my opinion, it is unrealistic to expect such a ground-breaking paradigm because it is infeasible especially if we think about the public opinion about this issue in both countries. What we need to think about instead is how to maintain and evolve the 1965 system. Maintaining the system has, and will continue to require constant innovation and evolution. In this respect, this system needs to be maintained with discernment and discretion by both Korea and Japan. It is a historical fact that Korea was exploited and placed under colonial rule, although Japan argues that it was for ensuring security. This fact should be clearly recognized and that part of history should be embraced as we work on shaping the future of Korea-Japan relations. In that respect, it is especially important that political leaders always keep in mind the danger of their violent words and behavior and ill-considered decisions which could instantly ruin the efforts that have been made by both Korea and Japan over a long period of time.

Cho, Youn Soo It is said in Korea that for the new Korea-Japan relations, the past approach of seeking national interests or short-term gains for political and business circles over universal values must be avoided.

Kimiya Tadashi I'm sorry to have to disagree. In reality, nations act in their interests. Korea and Japan may be close neighbors, but other players cannot be expected to disregard their interests in their action. Being altruistic is difficult for people and countries. The real question is concerned with what we think about national interests, and what we think benefit is. National interests would lose their meaning if Japan exclusively gained all the benefits. Korea and Japan could increase mutual benefit through cooperation, and thereby also increase public interests in the international community. It is time to change our way of thinking about benefit. In other words, we need to work together for mutual benefit while individually seeking benefits without trying to gain them all.

Cho, Youn Soo In connection with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's perception of history, there is much attention to the Abe Statement which is expected to be released in August. What do you think is absolutely needed to be included in the Abe Statement for Korea-Japan relations and peace in Northeast Asia?

Kimiya Tadashi There is a speculation about the Abe Statement that it will include the word 'remorse' although whether it will include the words 'aggression,' 'colonial rule,' and 'apology' is uncertain. Mr. Abe cautioned against obsessing about specific words. Since he also said that he would uphold the statements by the preceding administrations, I think that the Abe Statement should specify that 'he definitely upholds at least the Murayama Statement,' or include something to that effect.

Cho, Youn Soo What would you like to say to those young researchers studying Korea in Japan? What would you like to ask them?

Kimiya Tadashi I would like to ask them for two things which might appear to contradict each other. Firstly, improve the study of Korea in Japan to such a high level that it can compete with the study of Korea in Korea, and in the world. Secondly, pioneer the kind of study of Korea in Japan with unique characteristics that are not found anywhere else in the world including Korea itself. At first, these two requests may appear to be contradictory to each other. But the former is about seeking to be the number one, and the latter the only one. I believe that this is where we find the significance of the study of Korea in Japan.