South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held their 12th and likely final meeting in Seoul on Friday as Kishida prepares to step down later this month. The leaders, who have played a pivotal role in revitalizing their countries’ strained relationship, discussed the importance of maintaining strong ties despite upcoming leadership changes in Tokyo and Washington.
During the summit, Yoon emphasized the need for both nations to prepare for potential challenges that could arise in the future. He added that supporting strong relations between South Korea and Japan is not merely an option but a “historical responsibility.”
Kishida agreed while talking about the momentum of their partnership. The two governments also signed a memorandum to cooperate in evacuating their citizens in case of third-world crises.
Yoon’s approach to Japan has been notably more conciliatory than his predecessor, Moon Jae-in, who strained relationships with former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.
Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has made efforts to ease tensions with Tokyo despite facing several contentious issues. One key challenge was addressing compensation for South Korean forced laborers during Japan’s colonial rule. In 2023, Yoon introduced a controversial plan to compensate the victims through a government-backed fund that enabled the first reciprocal visits between the two leaders.
Although Yoon’s initiatives have paved the way for closer ties, the legacy of Japan’s colonial occupation remains a source of ongoing tension. Victims of forced labor and “comfort women” continue to demand new apologies from Tokyo, but Japan maintains that the 1965 treaty, which normalized relations, resolved all compensation-related issues. While expressing sympathy for the hardships endured by Koreans during the colonial era, Kishida avoided issuing a new apology, pointing instead to past agreements.
In addition to historical issues, the two leaders discussed cooperation on more recent matters, such as Japan’s planned release of wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant.
Despite public concern in South Korea over potential environmental risks, Yoon’s administration has said that Japan’s release of the water can be accepted if it is transparent and based on scientific principles. Nevertheless, analysts in South Korea remain skeptical about whether Japan has provided all the necessary information regarding the safety of the release.
Despite Yoon Suk Yeol and Kishida Fumio united for cooperation, particularly in addressing challenges from North Korea and China, one persistent issue continues to strain relations: Japan’s claim over the Dokdo Islands, which it refers to as Takeshima.
While seeking improved ties with Tokyo, the Yoon administration has consistently criticized Japan’s territorial claims whenever they surface. Yet, Japan reaffirmed its position in its 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook, frustrating many South Koreans who view this as evidence that Tokyo is unwilling to reciprocate Yoon’s efforts to mend ties.
