{"id":2200725,"date":"2023-04-14T18:54:26","date_gmt":"2023-04-14T09:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2200725"},"modified":"2023-04-20T19:05:15","modified_gmt":"2023-04-20T10:05:15","slug":"how-improved-south-korea-japan-ties-will-impact-the-indo-pacific-region","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/04\/how-improved-south-korea-japan-ties-will-impact-the-indo-pacific-region\/","title":{"rendered":"How improved South Korea-Japan ties will impact the Indo-Pacific region"},"content":{"rendered":"
Global power dynamics are currently undergoing a shift as countries align themselves with either the U.S. or China, in response to <\/span>expanding Chinese hegemony<\/span><\/a> and U.S. coercion that many nations face.<\/span><\/p>\n South Korea and Japan\u2019s recent efforts to <\/span>improve ties<\/span><\/a> are part of this realignment, as are Seoul\u2019s efforts to bolster its alliance with Washington since Yoon Suk-yeol took office.<\/span><\/p>\n These developments have led some to conclude that South Korea could or should join the Quad security dialogue that includes the U.S., Japan, India and Australia, a multilateral grouping that many observers see as an attempt to contain China. One analyst has <\/span>suggested<\/span><\/a> that Seoul would even be a better fit for the Quad than New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n But while the U.S. has welcomed South Korea\u2019s recent geopolitical approach, a closer analysis of Seoul\u2019s positions shows that it does not fully align yet with Washington on Beijing and remains far more focused on North Korea than the rest of the Quad, suggesting membership is not in the offing anytime soon.<\/span><\/p>\n WILL IMPROVED ROK-JAPAN TIES LAST?<\/b><\/p>\n Improved ties between South Korea and Japan are a positive development for the Indo-Pacific region. Many countries, particularly the <\/span>U.S.<\/span><\/a>, would welcome this progress as it has urged both nations to resolve their legacy issues. However, it would be an overreach to view improved bilateral relations as a driver of drastic systemic change for the U.S. alliance system.<\/span><\/p>\n This is because the trilateral relations between the U.S., South Korea and Japan primarily aim to <\/span>address<\/span><\/a> common challenges in the Northeast Asian region. A joint statement released after a recent trilateral meeting of special envoys for North Korea, for instance, emphasized the need \u201cto counter the threat the DPRK poses to regional and global security.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n With this new development, improved collaboration between the trilateral and bilateral partners in coordinating strategies and tactics can be expected, as well as <\/span>renewed military intelligence and information sharing<\/span><\/a>. However, it is too early to predict a complete return to normalcy in the relationship. While South Korea-Japan ties are slowly progressing, <\/span>certain<\/span><\/a> factors<\/span><\/a> could quickly derail the relationship if issues are not handled properly.<\/span><\/p>\n The state-led approach taken by President Yoon Suk-yeol has been tried before by former President Park Geun-hye, but it failed to last when <\/span>Moon Jae-in<\/span><\/a> took over. Yoon\u2019s consistently low popularity and domestic opposition to the deal indicate a lack of bipartisan consensus on improving relations with Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n Moreover, <\/span>unresolved<\/span><\/a> issues<\/span><\/a> such as Japanese history textbooks and the Fukushima nuclear waste discharge remain contentious. A <\/span>recent poll<\/span><\/a> showed that 59% of South Koreans oppose Yoon\u2019s diplomatic deal with Tokyo, including civic groups and victims, suggesting a lack of public support.<\/span><\/p>\n On the other hand, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida\u2019s <\/span>increasing popularity<\/span><\/a> and the positive perception of the <\/span>South Korean proposal<\/span><\/a> in Japan fuel the feeling of what the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung has <\/span>termed<\/span><\/a> \u201chumiliating\u201d diplomacy.<\/span><\/p>\n