Japan, S Korea balk at sharing news conference stage after U.S. talks

Both Japan and SK acting like children on the word stage.

How totally irresponsible.

Thanks to Sherman for bringing this to light.

That's a serious loss of face.

This is the clear consequence when you have governments lead by right wing nationalists,stubborn,full of pride and “honour”

The mass voted for these politicians so they got what they deserved.

My admiration goes to Sherman,the only one with some common sense and responsibility.

Both Japan and SK are terrified of the international press, who don't give their questions in advance.

How insecure they are about their positions, that they espouse so righteously when safely back home.

Bilateral treaty/agreement were finally reached in 1965 and in 2015 which were not easy process where US had mediated in both. South Korea throwing both out this easily like throwing some garbage into the bin.

As for territorial issue, Japan's proposal to bring the case under the International judgement is fair but got ignored three times.

South Korea never omit military drills over and around Takeshima and do not hesitate even a bit to direct fire-control radar without even a bit of advance notice completely ignoring communication from the counterpart

So which one has been all the time out of line?

Both Japan and SK childish? Cut the crap.

I blame South Korea. The Japanese can be, for not wanting to be censored, hard headed but not to the extremes of south Korea. I don't understand what korea's end game is. Korea has more shared interests with Japan than any other asian nation yet they refuse to forgive a stupid war that happened over 70 years ago and a Japanese occupation that happened 100 years ago. If Korea hates Japan so much they should probably take the Kanji off the gates of all of their prestigious Universities that were founded by the Japanese.

2 stubborn nations still holding on to disputes that will eventually harm them, Japan and S. Korea can't afford to continue these disputes and they know it, but yet they continue to act like 2 kids to serve some special interest groups back home.

Korea has nothing to lose with worsening ties with Japan.

Of course Koreans don’t care about Japanese dying. A survey in South Korea found that almost half of all South Koreans would side with North Korea in a war against Japan, while 40% said "I don't know". After the Tohoku Earthquake, some Koreans even hanged a banner celebrating the earthquake at an AFC Champions game.

US would need to chose between Japan and South Korea sooner or later. And South Korea is always ready to flip to the other side of the fence.

Reminds me of when South Korea threatened to pull out of GSOMIA and lied about getting the US’s approval first.

It’s interesting the way countries like my own, Australia have managed to forgive (without having to forget) the brutal horrors suffered under the hand of imperial Japan in WW2. Have zero intent of rubbing this generations nose in it though, just a quiet awareness of what happens to a nation made insane by war. We move on and make sure we never become enemies and slip into hell again. Forgiveness is humility and everyone needs to do it, or you just keep suffering by choice! Move on guys. Generic good will is all you need!

US would need to chose between Japan and South Korea sooner or later. And South Korea is always ready to flip to the other side of the fence.

South Korea's bunch of mama's boys army would not stand a round against North Korea.

Freaking stop acting like petulant children already and get to work together. Or start getting used to the idea that you will all lose. That goes for both nations SK and JP.

Japan possesses the earliest form of material that recognizes Takeshima's existence as Takeshima. In addition, all of the materials on the Korean side have nothing to do with Takeshima and most of them are related to Jukdo, a reef located on the lower right side of Ulleungdo Island.

Japan possesses the history of being the first country in the world to declare possession of Takeshima in accordance with international law. Korea does not have this history.

There is no international treaty regarding Takeshima other than the Treaty of San Francisco, which is an international treaty regarding the territorial rights of Takeshima, and the Treaty of San Francisco confirms that Takeshima is still Japanese territory.

happyhereToday  07:06 am JST

Both Japan and SK acting like children on the word stage.

Nope. Only SK continues to act like a child and you can bet your bottom dollar it was SK that caused this. Japan has and continues to disregard bilateral issues with SK when it comes to it's secirity alliance with the United States. In contrast SK showed it's willingness to disrupt the U.S. stategic posture when it brought GSOMIA into it's arguments with Japan. SK's reluctance to renew it, togther with it's behavior towards THAAD exposes the risk the U.S. carries in even considering SK to be an ally. Appeasing NK and by extension China appears to carry equal weight to their defense agreement with the U.S.

This right wing political game will cost both nations dearly.

Interestingly, according to Reuters, the Japanese diplomat was the first to pull out of the event, and over a petty issue at that: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-deputy-secretary-state-sherman-says-japan-south-korea-talks-constructive-2021-11-17/

So, speaking of childish behavior...

Territorial issues are childish？　Good job Japan! to alter the stance. You have been too conservative for decades!

Japan rarely takes this kind of attitude unless there is something wrong.

South Korea, like China, frequently messes with Japan and is hysterical about it.

Childish to act this way. No matter what the issue is, childish.

At least China will always regard US as an equal at most and not a superior.

You have to be a child not to be able to sit at a table with someone. Infants.

Childish or not, the much bigger problem is the new era of U.S. weakness. Still a few years ago they just would have ordered both children to go out together to that press conference and to sit there silently and smiling to each other without any bilateral conflicts being visible at the surface. Nowadays? She alone talks there about trilateral unity while the rival block or potential enemies see the obvious differences and surely now have a big grin on the face, knowing that it is not even something unilateral.

Heck. Japan does not allow anyone to stay nor allow anyone to land at/on Senkakus, no military drills whatsoever at around the disputed islands so as not to agitate the disputing counterpart.

Is it really chicken stance or the way it must be done Huh?

Korea's claims to Liancourt Rocks is rock solid and iron-clad, can be proven entirely with Japanese government documents and maps pre-1945. Korean government can thank Japan's leftwing scholars for helping to uncover these documents and notify Korean government.

Rock-solid ? Yeah Yeah by whatever documents and maps found/kept in foreign countries only right?

Perhaps SK would start claiming Tsushima too sooner or later as one of those maps kept in Europe

captures it too

Japan is playing a dangerous game here, because the current State Department leadership and strategists are pro-Korea and they might just decide to fix this problem once and for all by formally acknowledging Liancourt Rocks as Korean territory.

Which means SK would follow reverse-decision making it to be Japanese territory?

Japan tried to work with S. Korea.

Japan apologies over 56 times. S.Korea doesn't recognize none of them.

Japan paid compensation multiple times. In the Billions and Trillions. 1965, 1990s, 2015.

Japan had South Korea on privilege friends list on trade. Only one in Asia.

South Korea took Island from Japan called Takeshima. We still apologies and paid compensation for the past instead of retaliation and sanctions.

Japan has tried time again to work with a hateful South Korean government who uses the past to have leverage and advantages over Japan by bringing up the past and how it's not enough for the Korean heart and Korean old women.

There is no international treaty regarding Takeshima other than the Treaty of San Francisco, which is an international treaty regarding the territorial rights of Takeshima, and the Treaty of San Francisco confirms that Takeshima is still Japanese territory

No, the San Francisco Treaty has no mention of Takeshima anywhere. There is debate whether that omission was deliberate or not. The treaty is very specific regarding other islands and was mentioned in a draft of the treaty that was discarded.

https://dokdo-or-takeshima.blogspot.com/2008/08/1951-september-9th-san-francisco-peace.html

I thought only Korea was supposedly the one that’s childish and not Japan. So did Japan bother show up?

Petty

The culture of "saving face" is amply demonstrated here by both sides. When will these representatives (govts) ever overcome their petulant attitudes and acknowledge that co-operation brings benefits for all. They need to be treated like naughty little boys- a swift kick up the backside to jolt them into positive actions. New generations (not those of a bygone era) should be steering the course, provided they have the gumption to upset a few of their ultra conservative mates who savour any opportunity to remain in power.

Interestingly, according to Reuters, the Japanese diplomat was the first to pull out of the event, and over a petty issue at that: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-deputy-secretary-state-sherman-says-japan-south-korea-talks-constructive-2021-11-17/

So, speaking of childish behavior...

China has to love it!! Divide and conquer!

US would need to chose between Japan and South Korea sooner or later.

The US has no issue with either party. Japan and South Korea will need to learn to live and work with each other or both will pay a cost. The US will not pick sides.

According to Japan Times:

"The latest development came after the head of South Korea's police on Tuesday visited the islands in the Sea of Japan.

Japanese Foreign Ministry sources said the Takeshima issue was not discussed during the trilateral meeting. But the government decided that it was "not appropriate" to hold a joint press conference when Tokyo was protesting over the South Korean police chief's visit to Takeshima.

I can't help it. The look on Ms. Sherman's face says it all really. You know you have seen tired and exasperated teacher, or your mother, give you exactly the same look and it wasn't because you were making her happy. Oh no.

@Falco

When there is an earthquake in Japan , Korea is always one of the first countries to send aid.

What doesn’t make news on media news outlets is the large number of people that have connections to both Japan and Korea, the high volume of tourists moving between both countries.

Foolish politicians and spineless negotiators are the manipulative minority that don’t deserve the attention…

Both Japan and SK acting like children on the word stage.

How totally irresponsible.

You beat me to it.

How insecure they are about their positions, that they espouse so righteously when safely back home.

excellent point!

This is the clear consequence when you have governments lead by right wing nationalists,stubborn,full of pride and “honour”

The mass voted for these politicians so they got what they deserved.

My admiration goes to Sherman,the only one with some common sense and responsibility.

I couldn't possibly agree with you more

@kennyG

So huffing and puffing over a bunch of rocks in a sea is not childish, but when Korea or China raise issues such as e.g. genocide or slave labor, that is childish behavior? Hmm... That's certainly an interesting logic

Japan did terrible things before and during my parent's time. I know that nearly everyone in the US has moved passed those events in history and wants a strong win-win relationship with Japan, Japanese businesses and the people of Japan. Japan know the US is far from perfect.

South Korea has a different history, but also needs to seek strong win-win relations with the US and Japan.

Never forget, but look forward with like-minded neighbors trying to solve regional issues and never allow the mistakes from the past to happen again.

Can't we all just get along?

Basically Japan goverment is hunkering down and waiting for the next election to replace the current korea party. In their mind whatever deals or promises they make now with the current SK goverment is kinda useless anyway because in a few months Yoon is gonna replace president Moon. From the way i see it, i don't think our government is willing to show any cooperation with the Moon administration in order to not give them the satisfaction of getting any positive image before they leave the office.

Childish behaviour is not what you expect from a G3 country. But as I've always said, this is Japan.

@Hiro

 in a few months Yoon is gonna replace president Moon. 

Actually you don't know that. 4 months is a long time in Korean politics, and Lee never lost an election during his 2 decade career as an elected official of various posts, while Yoon literally melts away in debates and fumbles and never ran for elected office, a complete novice in campaigning.

So conservatives fear Yoon will melt away during forthcoming debates and polls flip. It is guaranteed that Lee, a masterful debater, will win debates, the question is by how much and how that's gonna affect the poll number.

@kennyG

Heck. Japan does not allow anyone to stay nor allow anyone to land at/on Senkakus, no military drills whatsoever

Because Japan's claims to Diaoyu Islands are weak, Japan's defense being that "Republic of China" that Japan is obliged to return them to per surrender term no longer exist, hence Japan can keep them. Of course Taiwan and China strongly disagree.

Korea's claims to Liancourt Rocks is rock solid and iron-clad, can be proven entirely with Japanese government documents and maps pre-1945. Korean government can thank Japan's leftwing scholars for helping to uncover these documents and notify Korean government.

Japan is playing a dangerous game here, because the current State Department leadership and strategists are pro-Korea and they might just decide to fix this problem once and for all by formally acknowledging Liancourt Rocks as Korean territory.

The issues that south Korea has with Japan goes back alot further than world war 2 and comfort women.

And try not to mention what the Japanese imperial army asian holocaust that happened is very difficult for Asia to forget and forgive.

I presume that Asian countries that host USA forces are bit tired of being hosts in trade for so called protection .

Its understandable that Korea and Japan reluctance to have a news conference with Sherman as the mediator.

Korea has nothing to lose with worsening ties with Japan. Korea wishes to end GSOMIA and force Americans to cut off its radar feed to Japan that the US is getting from Korea. leaving Japan blind from incoming North Korean and Chinese ballistic missiles.

Korea in the meanwhile does not need US help in its own air defense, but is in the business of selling its air-defense system to other countries. UAE just signed the contract for first stage component of Korea's three-stage integrated air defense system for $3.7 billion, the full completion of M-SAM/L-SAM/Biho will cost more than $10 billion. Saudi Arabia is said to follow UAE and adopt Korean integrated air defense system after Saudi Arabia got burned by US supplied air defense system in 2019 Iranian cruise missile attack.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uae-announces-south-korean-m-sam-order

UAE announces South Korean M-SAM order

The United Arab Emirates' (UAE's) Ministry of Defence announced on 16 November that it intends to acquire South Korea's M-SAM air defence system.

It said in a tweet that the M-SAM will be a “qualitative addition” to its existing air defence capabilities and that the deal could be worth as much as USD3.5 billion.

Korea has nothing to lose with worsening ties with Japan. Korea wishes to end GSOMIA and force Americans to cut off its radar feed to Japan that the US is getting from Korea. leaving Japan blind from incoming North Korean and Chinese ballistic missiles.

Korea in the meanwhile does not need US help in its own air defense, but is in the business of selling its air-defense system to other countries. UAE just signed the contract for first stage component of Korea's three-stage integrated air defense system for $3.7 billion, the full completion of M-SAM/L-SAM/Biho will cost more than $10 billion. Saudi Arabia is said to follow UAE and adopt Korean integrated air defense system after Saudi Arabia got burned by US supplied air defense system in 2019 Iranian cruise missile attack.

South Korea is growing a spine to revolt against American domination. Japan kowtows to the American overlords, eternally!

South Korea is growing because of its rising ties with China, Russia, Vietnam, and even Iran. Japan is destroying its bridges with China, Russia, both Koreas, Iran to placate the jealous American overlords. It is obviously that Korea will have a brighter future than Japan.