Recent signs of rapprochement offer optimism, but deeper issues require careful collaboration
As the wisteria blossoms in late spring, the temperature is also warming with regard to ROK-Japan ties. This weekend’s visit of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to South Korea, the first by a Japanese prime minister in over five years, marks a significant step in this warming. But it remains uncertain whether this progress will extend into a golden summer or if old disputes will dampen the enthusiasm on both sides, leading to a tense atmosphere once more.
On the surface, the signs are good. In early March, President Yoon Suk-yeol announced a breakthrough plan to compensate Korean victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period. Kishida expressed support for the initiative, and the U.S. described it as “historic.” Subsequently, Yoon made a carefully choreographed visit to Tokyo — the first visit by a South Korean president to Japan in around a decade for a bilateral summit — which Kishida is about to reciprocate.
As the wisteria blossoms in late spring, the temperature is also warming with regard to ROK-Japan ties. This weekend’s visit of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to South Korea, the first by a Japanese prime minister in over five years, marks a significant step in this warming. But it remains uncertain whether this progress will extend into a golden summer or if old disputes will dampen the enthusiasm on both sides, leading to a tense atmosphere once more.
On the surface, the signs are good. In early March, President Yoon Suk-yeol announced a breakthrough plan to compensate Korean victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period. Kishida expressed support for the initiative, and the U.S. described it as “historic.” Subsequently, Yoon made a carefully choreographed visit to Tokyo — the first visit by a South Korean president to Japan in around a decade for a bilateral summit — which Kishida is about to reciprocate.
Get 30 days
of free access to
KoreaPro
Full access to all analysis
The KOREA PRO newsletter, every business day
Daily analysis on the top story of the day
The ability to suggest topics for coverage by our specialist team
Be smart about South Korea
Get full access to expert analysis and opinion.
Start now
No charges during your trial. Cancel anytime. A paid subscription will start after 30 days.
© Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved.
No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for
commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk
Group.