[Visible Commentary] South Korea-Japan Relations as Seen Through Public Opinion: Can We Move Towards a New Future?

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C54jEXQ5zFk

As the second installment in the 'Visible Commentary' series, designed to provide timely analyses of major diplomatic issues in an accessible and convenient format, Son Yeol, President of the East Asia Institute (and Professor at Yonsei University), explains the findings of the '10th Korea-Japan Public Perception Survey.' The survey indicates that despite an improvement in the mutual perceptions between the publics of South Korea and Japan, expectations for improved relations have not kept pace. The commentary emphasizes the importance of discussing solutions to historical issues, including the forced labor issue, while simultaneously restoring trust through cooperation in various fields, given that both governments have lost public trust.

Key Findings of the 10th Korea-Japan Public Perception Survey 0:17

Q1. Can a two-track approach that separates historical issues from cooperation issues contribute to improving Korea-Japan relations? 1:29

■ Son Yeol_ President of EAI. Professor at Yonsei University's Graduate School of International Studies. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago and previously taught at Chung-Ang University. He is currently a Professor at Yonsei University's Graduate School of International Studies and President of the East Asia Institute (EAI). He has served as Dean of Yonsei University's Graduate School of International Studies, Head of the Underwood International College, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development, and Director of the Institute for International Studies. He was a Visiting Professor at the University of Tokyo, and a Visiting Scholar at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) and the University of California (Berkeley). He served as President of the Korean Political Science Association (2019) and President of the Association for Korean Modern Japanese Studies (2012). He has been a Fulbright, MacArthur, and Japan Foundation Fellow, a Senior Fellow at Waseda University's Institute for Advanced Study, and has served as an advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, the Northeast Asian History Foundation, and the Korea Foundation. He was also a member of the Committee for the Northeast Asian Era. His research areas include Japanese foreign policy, international political economy, East Asian international politics, and public diplomacy. His recent publications include "Conditions for Presidential Success in 2022" (co-editor, 2021), "Policy Recommendations for the New Government's Foreign Policy in 2022" (co-editor, 2021), "The Story of BTS's Global Appeal" (co-editor, 2021), "South Korea's Choices After the Crisis" (co-editor, 2021), "Japan and Asia's Contested Order" (2019, with T. J. Pempel), "Understanding Public Diplomacy in East Asia" (2016, with Jan Melissen), "South Korea under US-China Rivalry: the Dynamics of the Economic-Security Nexus in the Trade Policymaking," The Pacific Review 23, 6 (2019), and "South Korea's Middle Power Diplomacy" (co-editor, 2017).

■ Responsible for and edited by: Park Jeong-hoo_ EAI Researcher

    For inquiries: 02 2277 1683 (ext. 205) | jhpark@eai.or.kr

Video Script

The previous two-track approach was articulated as follows: separating historical issues from other cooperative matters such as security, economy, environment, and culture. In some cases, this meant continuing confrontation and heated discussions on historical issues while pursuing cooperation in other areas. However, in reality, this proved impossible, as history has shown. The two-track approach implies that, like two wheels of a cart rolling together, progress should be made on historical issues while simultaneously advancing in other areas. While it is correct to address these separately, wisdom is needed to make efforts in both areas concurrently. This is what former President Kim Dae-jung's administration pursued.