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© KYODOAbe asks Moon to visit Japan before inter-Korean summit
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Matt Hartwell
What threat would a democratic united Korea present to Japan? Despite the bitter history, Korea is not going to attack Japan. All it represents is a great opportunity for Japan Inc.
Unless....North Korea is allowed to retain their nukes and somehow under unification, Korea becomes nuclear. I doubt China is going to be pleased about that. They might feel confident with Moon, they might even think he is anti-U.S, but Korea would be a democracy and it would be extremely easy to see an anti-Chinese Korean P.M come to power. Anything that encourages a nuclear Japan isnt exactly a great thing for China either.
Provided a unified Korea is democratic and nuclear free, its a boon for both Japan and America.
quercetum
Except Abe visited Trump first and even before Teump took office. There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging Abe respects one more than the other.
quercetum
I can’t see SK being under Kim. It would require major restructuring of the two governments.
Denuclearization would be of less interest for SK with reunification, but it doesn’t take direct US involvement for China and South Korean relations to sour.
Just last year when Park set up the THAAD system on land owned and swapped by Lotte, Chinese government-affiliated media called for a nationwide boycott of Lotte, which has extensive investments in China.
There has to be a reason nearly a million Chinese soldiers crossed the Yalu River in 1950 to fight against U.S. forces.
With THAAD, China views it as a US project of building an Asian version NATO, important for the U.S. to build an anti-missile system in the western Pacific.
Russia China North Korea vs US South Korea Japan. Balance of power equals peace
Goodlucktoyou
@NZ. Actually Abe always has 2 jumbo jets when he visits the 50 odd countries recently.
NZ2011
Redtail, but how would re-unification work given the current situation?
I'm not saying it shouldn't happen in time but there are significant issues.
South Koreans don't want to live under an oppressive dictator, we have seen free democratic South Koreans fill the streets when they aren't happy with their government, I can't seem them accepting the kind of control the North would want or giving it up.
South Korea would also somehow have to absorb the financial and economic burden of the North Korean citizenry.
China likely would only "allow" it to happen if all US forces left Korea as they don't want an American Ally on its boarder. I assume thats what the recent rushed China North Korea meeting was about as much as talking about collective defense.
Would the "Kims" be given Political asylum in China or Russia?
You are right it suits the US and Japan to some degree, but it also suits China and Russia too.
smithinjapan
Korea is interested in unification as the ultimate goal, and denuclearization as the immediate goal. Japan isn't interested in either except how they might better self-serve Japan, and they are primarily interested in an issue that affects NO ONE but Japan -- the abduction issue. That should not even be on the list of things to talk about, but Abe wants it at the top. He's demanded the US talk about it when they meet Kim. Now he's asking Moon to come so that he can bring it up when HE talks to Kim.
OssanAmerica
What is South Korea's position on the North Korean abductions? Since the Korean War ended, some 3800 South Koreans were abducted out of which 480 are believed to be still held in North Korea.
I am Sam
to much drama... give the guy a call and see...much ado about nothing
Haruka
America is not the one happy about two separate Korea's, it is the Chinese and the Russians due to border concerns.
Abe should leave Mr. Moon alone. He has other major issues rather than 17 possible but not proven abductees.
iworld99
Abe goes to USA to get a pat on the head to get its master's approval.
In a sense, Abe mistakenly believes Japan's relationship with South Korea is like USA's to Japan.
Abe and Japan really need a gigantic douse of reality.
BeerDeliveryGuy
As does every world leader who owns a presidential aircraft.
The second jet is a backup in case the first requires repairs or maintenance, and it also carries the staff and aides.
Every US president from Kennedy to Obama has had 4 jets, until Trump reduced the fleet to 2 Air Force Ones.
Moderator
Back on topic please.
Kabukilover
A penetrating photograph at any rate. If looks could kill. They hate each other. Mt sympathies are with Moon.
Samit Basu
@OssanJapan
None of Korea's problem. Trump won't raise this issue with Kim during his summit either, so Abe will have to raise it himself during his summit with Kim.
@Redtail Swift
Moon doesn't have time for Abe at the moment.
@Schopenhauer
Absolutely.
Nobody outside of Japan is buying this "Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere" thing.
MASSWIPE
Abe is really displaying the limits of his base of political support in Japan. Remember, until 2002 this guy was just another mediocre hereditary LDP backbencher like so many others in that party. Abe's exploitation of the emotional abductee issue, which burst into the open when Kim Jong Il admitted in September 2002 that such kidnappings of Japanese had taken place, catapulted him into the national spotlight and made Abe into an even internationally known figure. So Abe can't let the abductee issue go, because it's what made him prime minister the first time around in 2006. This is as good a reason as any for arguing why Abe should no longer serve as prime minister of Japan.
Simon Foston
Interesting that the last seven comments all got five or six down votes but none of the down voters appear to be capable of a reply. Doesn't say much about the intellect of the average Abe supporter.
Bintaro
Abe goes to the United States to see the president, but ask the president of South Korea to come see him.
That's saying a lot about who he respects.
NZ2011
People just playing politics games, but it does certainly look like a summons rather than reaching out and working with South Korea, which I still strongly believe is critically important to retain a power balance in the region as things are looking to change fairly rapidly.
Japan and South Korea have far more in common lifestyle, economics and similar ideas about freedom and rights, than either do with China for example.
Come on Abe, its only 3 Hrs away and you have your own plane...
tinawatanabe
Diplomacy protocol says that the visit is to take turn or that new President or Prime Minister is the one who visit first. Abe has visited SK many times but neither Moon nor previous SK President Park visited Japan. It is very impolite of SK.
smithinjapan
"Abe wants to get Moon to raise with Kim the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s."
Moon needs to reject Abe and his increased third-party "isolation tour". He wants to derail nuclear talks by putting this bilateral issue first, not because he cares about the issue or the people, but because he needs to once again vow it when he is mired in scandal. He should be ashamed, but he knows none. Does he want Moon to come to talk about trade? To talk about grassroots exchange and increasing dialogue between the nations? Nope -- he wants to dictate what SK should do in talks to try and improve relations on the peninsula.
NZ2011
Haruka, I have to agree in part, if the whole reason is to talk about the abductees, which if is accurate is terribly sad for the families but in the grand scheme of things fairly minor given changes in the region and the issues in Japan.
While perhaps suggesting any Japanese citizen that wants to return to Japan would be allowed to do so might be OK as a minor point, I would hope that the major part of any meeting would be to assure South Korea that Japan will do everything it can to assist South Korea remain a free and democratic society and to make clear its desire to work together economically and politically.
Akie
Agree with smithihjapan in identifying Korean goals.
Simian Lane
Abe, ‘ Fly me to the Moon. Immediately.’
Redtail Swift
Don't do it, Moon. If there is any chance to reunify North and South Korea, then let them come together. For decades, America and Japan have reveled in the fact that Korea is divided.
Just like Americans kneeling during the National Anthem, Kim Jong Un has found the one thing that Japan and America fear the most, a United Korea.
Schopenhauer
Civitas Sine Suffragio
You have to study the Korean history. Do you think Korea could modernize the country by themselves?
Schopenhauer
Did Japan get any richer by "colonizing" Korea? No. We did not colonize Korea. We annexed the country and they became Japanese citizens and we invested quite a lot. Japan dreamed to build united Asia under the leadership of Japan to protect Asia from invasion and colonization by western countries including Russia. Japan feeling crisis coming closer rushed to modernize the country when China was almost becoming colony of Britain which used opium to plunder China.
Moderator
Back on topic please.
bones
Abe is acting like a female at a club who wants all the guys to give her their undivided attention.
ozziedesigner
Äbe, "Ooo don't forget me"
Abe & Japan inc = Irrelevant
Well played Kim Jong un !
Sunleung88
I agree completely with Cricky and Binatro. If Abe wants to have his agenda being discussed, by summoning Moon to come to Japan is a great insult for Moon. I would be very surprised if Moon agrees to the request.
sf2k
Why is it so important for Moon to visit Japan? Koreans might feel that there are more important things to do than talk to Japan about the same old things. This is desperate and obvious.
Schopenhauer
zichi
In the strict sense, what Japan did was not colonization. Japan had an intention to protect other Asian countries from exploitation by western countries. Remember what Britain and other European countries did in Asia. Their purpose was nothing but plunder.
Akie
Sometimes, I make fun of Abe by attacking his blunders. I know Abe wouldn't mind because he has thick skin, otherwise I wouldn't joke him if he is a sensitive person. However, I can't make fun of him of abduction issue because it is a serious problem. Abe could resolve the problem 16 years ago in 2002 by just offering a little bit more money. In this regard, Japanese govt owes Japanese people a big apolozy for the dragged suffering and pain.
Akie
Abe should trust neighbors that they will help Japan in finding solutions. However, by pushing too hard will not generate the desired result. Abe already made too many mistakes. There is no room for mistake this time. It is better to let others to handle the situation while Abe focuses on his own scandal.
melonbarmonster
If and when Abe is ready to talk about the 5.5 million Korean civilians abducted for forced labor by Japan maybe this would be possible.
Akie
Abe should be careful because it is not proper if the nuclear talk is disrupted. The best way to resolve abduction issue is to talk to Nk directly with sincerity and financial assistance to find out the fact. Things can be done in parallel.
Cricky
Is he Summoning? Abe has been sidelined, his insistence on the abductees when there are far bigger fish to fry has backfired internationally. Domestically might be a winner, for now.
Wallace Fred
Lol someone's scrambling. And shouldn't it be the other way around anyway? Who needs who here? Illegal school dealings? Not in Japan. Only one party rules here.
Schopenhauer
Welcome him. Moon is a lot better than his predecessor.
Alexandre T. Ishii
No, thanks!