South Korea seeks to kickstart talks to resolve historical feuds with Japan

SEOUL, July 15 (Reuters) – South Korea hopes a high-level go to to Tokyo subsequent week will kickstart talks geared toward a breakthrough in historic disputes regardless of issues the loss of life of former Japanese premier Shinzo Abe might change Japan’s coverage priorities, Seoul officers stated.

Relations between the 2 North Asian U.S. allies have been strained over disputes relationship to Japan’s 1910-1945 occupation of Korea. Washington has been urgent Tokyo and Seoul to fix fences within the face of the North Korean nuclear menace and the rising affect of China.

Officers within the administration of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took workplace in Might vowing to enhance ties with Japan, instructed Reuters they really feel emboldened by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s election victory which might give him extra scope to advance his coverage agenda for one more three years.

International Minister Park Jin will go to Japan on July 18-20, the ministry stated, a visit which a senior official dealing with Japan coverage stated is geared toward “turning on the faucet” for severe negotiations on points referring to pressured labour, which stalled below Yoon’s predecessor.

Park will meet his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi and focus on relations between the 2 nations and points on the Korean Peninsula, the South Korean ministry stated. Park may also pay respects to Abe.

One other South Korean official stated Yoon would ship a high-level delegation led by the prime minister when Japan holds a public memorial service for Abe, who was shot and killed final week whereas on the marketing campaign path.

Yoon would additionally probably use his Aug. 15 Liberation Day speech marking Korea’s independence from Japan as an opportunity to ship a reconciliatory message to Tokyo, the official added.

“What we’re making an attempt to do is to open the door for actual talks,” the senior official stated.

The assassination of Abe, who was a defining chief in Japanese politics and a divisive determine in Korea, has raised new doubts concerning the outlook for relations with South Korea, the place bitter wartime recollections run deep.

Some analysts say Korea may be placed on the again burner whereas Kishida presses to attain Abe’s unrealised goals, together with constitutional reform geared toward permitting Japanese troops to struggle abroad.

However some Korean officers see Japan as extra prepared to speak now, with stress by U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration additionally taking part in a possible function.

“We see nice potential in stronger trilateral relationships,” Derek Chollet, Counsellor of the U.S. State Division, instructed Reuters this week.

COOPERATION ‘INEVITABLE’

Japan’s chief cupboard secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, stated on Friday that cooperation with Seoul and Washington was “inevitable” for responding to North Korea’s menace and different regional points.

“Though relations between Japan and South Korea are in a really extreme state … we do not suppose it may be left as it’s,” he instructed a information convention, including Tokyo would work collectively to resolve historical past points and restore ties.

Yoon and Kishida met Biden on the sidelines of final month’s NATO summit for his or her first trilateral talks, and Chollet stated Washington stands able to facilitate sturdy ties between its two allies. learn extra

At dwelling, the Yoon authorities is gathering opinions from victims of pressured labour, legal professionals and specialists through a newly launched public-private panel, which held its second listening to on Thursday.

At stake are South Korean courtroom orders for a seizure of belongings of Japanese corporations accused of not compensating a few of their colonial-era labourers. Tokyo has warned of great repercussions if the orders are enforced. learn extra

The primary official stated the Yoon administration was searching for a “real looking, possible proposal” that may win consent from each victims and the Japanese authorities.

A 3rd official was extra cautious, saying the compensation concern needs to be resolved alongside commerce and different rows, which might make a compromise harder.

Yuko Nakano, a fellow on the U.S.-based Middle for Strategic and Worldwide Research, stated any compromise would require persistence and dedication from each Yoon and Kishida.

“Excessive-level visits and conferences usually entice consideration, however equally essential is to proceed constructing on efforts which are taking place beneath the floor,” she stated.

Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Further reporting by Joyce Lee; Modifying by Josh Smith, Lincoln Feast and Alison Williams

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.