[The 3rd Korea-Japan Future Dialogue: Lee Won-jae] “Korea-Japan Relations: We Must Discover and Pursue Common Values”

Director Lee Won-jae is currently the director of the Hope Institute, a private think tank.

Representative Kudo Yasushi is currently the representative of Media NPO, a non-profit think tank in Japan.

Kudo Yasushi: Director Lee Won-jae, what is your diagnosis of the current Korea-Japan relations?

Lee Won-jae: I believe we are still stuck in the past because there are issues that remain unresolved and a significant gap in perceptions between the citizens of both countries regarding historical recognition.

Kudo Yasushi: What kind of generational changes are there? While Japanese people tend to want to talk about the future, don't most Koreans prioritize past issues?

Lee Won-jae: The new generation also considers past issues important. However, there is a strong tendency for them not to see these issues as directly linked to the future.

Kudo Yasushi: What kind of activities does the Hope Institute, as a non-profit organization (NPO), engage in? What are its primary areas of focus?

Lee Won-jae: The Hope Institute is a think tank that proposes policies through citizen participation. Its main areas of focus include social enterprises, community building, local autonomy, grassroots democracy, and the aging population issue. We also focus on helping to implement major policies by proposing them to local governments and the central government, and on transforming civic consciousness in a democratic and innovative direction.

Kudo Yasushi: Currently, both Korea and Japan are struggling to move past historical issues. What do you believe is important for improving Korea-Japan relations and moving towards the future?

Lee Won-jae: I believe it is important for the citizens of both countries to discover common values. These should be future values, not past values. For both Korean and Japanese societies, past values are characterized by a growth-at-all-costs mentality. For a long time, society has developed by focusing solely on economic growth, with the belief that all problems could be solved through it. However, we must now realize that future growth must be balanced across various values such as the environment, human rights, labor, and consumer rights, not just economic growth. We call this "sustainable development" or "social innovation." I believe that creating a future where we discover and pursue such common values is most important.

Kudo Yasushi: Lastly, what are your impressions of participating in the 3rd Korea-Japan Future Dialogue?

Lee Won-jae: Above all, I was pleased that all the experts from both countries agreed on the need for young people and future generations to change and participate together. I was also pleased that Professor Ogura and various Japanese experts supported the idea that young social entrepreneurs should interact and that funding is needed to support them. I believe that fostering young social entrepreneurs in Korea and Japan for the future-oriented development of bilateral relations, and sending globally-minded individuals who understand both public interest and business, could be the first step towards improving Korea-Japan relations.

Kudo Yasushi: Thank you.