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Leaders of South Korea and Japan Speak of Improving Ties Leaders of South Korea and Japan Speak of Improving Ties
(about 11 hours later)
SEOUL, South Korea — The leaders of South Korea and Japan called on Monday for their countries to leave behind historical disputes and improve ties, a rare exchange of conciliatory remarks that came as the leaders observed the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations at embassy events in their capitals. SEOUL, South Korea — The leaders of South Korea and Japan called on Monday for their countries to leave behind historical disputes and improve ties, a rare exchange of conciliatory remarks that came as the leaders observed the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations at embassy events in their capitals.
Ties have been so strained in recent years over issues rooted in Japan’s colonial rule of Korea in the early 20th century that the attendance of the South Korean president, Park Geun-hye, at a reception hosted by the Japanese Embassy in Seoul and that of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a corresponding ceremony in Tokyo are being hailed as a rare triumph. Ties have been so strained in recent years over issues rooted in Japan’s colonial rule of Korea in the early 20th century that the attendance of the South Korean president, Park Geun-hye, at a reception hosted by the Japanese Embassy in Seoul and that of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a corresponding ceremony in Tokyo are being hailed as a triumph.
“What is important is to ensure that circumstances are put in place that allow us to free ourselves of the heavy burden of history, our single greatest impediment, in the spirit of reconciliation and harmony,” Ms. Park said during the ceremony attended by the heads of other foreign missions to South Korea, including the American ambassador, Mark W. Lippert.“What is important is to ensure that circumstances are put in place that allow us to free ourselves of the heavy burden of history, our single greatest impediment, in the spirit of reconciliation and harmony,” Ms. Park said during the ceremony attended by the heads of other foreign missions to South Korea, including the American ambassador, Mark W. Lippert.
In Tokyo, Mr. Abe emphasized shared “strategic interests” between the neighboring countries.In Tokyo, Mr. Abe emphasized shared “strategic interests” between the neighboring countries.
“If you look at the state of Northeast Asia, strengthening cooperation between Japan and South Korea, and among Japan, the United States and South Korea, is necessary not only for the peace and stability of our two countries, but the Asia-Pacific region,” he said during the reception arranged by the South Korean Embassy in Tokyo.“If you look at the state of Northeast Asia, strengthening cooperation between Japan and South Korea, and among Japan, the United States and South Korea, is necessary not only for the peace and stability of our two countries, but the Asia-Pacific region,” he said during the reception arranged by the South Korean Embassy in Tokyo.
Although the leaders’ presence at the ceremonies did not amount to a breakthrough concerning historical disputes, any signs of mending ties between the two American allies are welcome in Washington. The United States has repeatedly urged Japan and South Korea to improve ties at a time of regional anxiety over a more assertive China and a nuclear-armed North Korea.Although the leaders’ presence at the ceremonies did not amount to a breakthrough concerning historical disputes, any signs of mending ties between the two American allies are welcome in Washington. The United States has repeatedly urged Japan and South Korea to improve ties at a time of regional anxiety over a more assertive China and a nuclear-armed North Korea.
Partly because of prodding from Washington, South Korean and Japanese officials have been talking for months about laying the groundwork for Ms. Park and Mr. Abe to hold their first summit meeting — although there is no immediate breakthrough in sight.Partly because of prodding from Washington, South Korean and Japanese officials have been talking for months about laying the groundwork for Ms. Park and Mr. Abe to hold their first summit meeting — although there is no immediate breakthrough in sight.
South Korea remains adamant that Japan has not properly atoned for its wartime past, especially its recruitment of Koreans and other Asians as sex slaves, or so-called comfort women, for its military-run brothels during World War II. Japan has insisted that such matters were settled when a treaty normalizing their ties was signed 50 years ago on Monday.South Korea remains adamant that Japan has not properly atoned for its wartime past, especially its recruitment of Koreans and other Asians as sex slaves, or so-called comfort women, for its military-run brothels during World War II. Japan has insisted that such matters were settled when a treaty normalizing their ties was signed 50 years ago on Monday.
The two leaders’ decision to attend the ceremonies on Monday was announced after Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se of South Korea met with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, in Tokyo on Sunday. The two agreed to seek a three-way summit meeting with China by the end of the year. Such a meeting would include the first full-fledged one-on-one meeting between Ms. Park and Mr. Abe, officials in Seoul said.The two leaders’ decision to attend the ceremonies on Monday was announced after Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se of South Korea met with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, in Tokyo on Sunday. The two agreed to seek a three-way summit meeting with China by the end of the year. Such a meeting would include the first full-fledged one-on-one meeting between Ms. Park and Mr. Abe, officials in Seoul said.
As part of the 1965 treaty, Japan provided $800 million in grants and cheap loans that South Korea used in building highways and factories. But the treaty was signed amid widespread protests in South Korea, where memories of brutal colonial rule remained raw and anti-Japanese sentiments still formed part of Koreans’ national identity.As part of the 1965 treaty, Japan provided $800 million in grants and cheap loans that South Korea used in building highways and factories. But the treaty was signed amid widespread protests in South Korea, where memories of brutal colonial rule remained raw and anti-Japanese sentiments still formed part of Koreans’ national identity.
Although the two countries have since become significant trading partners, they have continued to bicker over a set of islets held by South Korea but also claimed by Japan, as well as over the issue of the sex slaves.Although the two countries have since become significant trading partners, they have continued to bicker over a set of islets held by South Korea but also claimed by Japan, as well as over the issue of the sex slaves.
Relations have worsened under Ms. Park and Mr. Abe, who took office within months of each other in early 2013 and late 2012.Relations have worsened under Ms. Park and Mr. Abe, who took office within months of each other in early 2013 and late 2012.
South Koreans have complained that under Japan’s nationalist prime minister, the nation has played down responsibility for the enslavement of the women while revising textbooks to glorify its history of aggression.South Koreans have complained that under Japan’s nationalist prime minister, the nation has played down responsibility for the enslavement of the women while revising textbooks to glorify its history of aggression.
For their part, many Japanese have accused South Korea of being unreasonable for repeatedly demanding an apology they feel their country has already offered. Ethnic Koreans in Japan, many of them descendants of forced laborers, have recently become a target of hate speech from right-wing extremists there.For their part, many Japanese have accused South Korea of being unreasonable for repeatedly demanding an apology they feel their country has already offered. Ethnic Koreans in Japan, many of them descendants of forced laborers, have recently become a target of hate speech from right-wing extremists there.
The chances of a summit meeting depends largely on whether the two governments can narrow their differences over the issue of the sex slaves, officials here said.The chances of a summit meeting depends largely on whether the two governments can narrow their differences over the issue of the sex slaves, officials here said.
Ms. Park has repeatedly called on Japan to take actions that would convince South Koreans that it was truly atoning for the women’s mistreatment. Ms. Park has pointed out that the average age of the 50 known South Korean former sex slaves who are still alive is close to 90, and she called for them to receive apologies and compensation before they die.Ms. Park has repeatedly called on Japan to take actions that would convince South Koreans that it was truly atoning for the women’s mistreatment. Ms. Park has pointed out that the average age of the 50 known South Korean former sex slaves who are still alive is close to 90, and she called for them to receive apologies and compensation before they die.