Japan, S Korea agree on need for dialogue to repair frayed ties

They'll come to an agreement. Japan will compensate. Then in a few years time SK will void the agreement because they didn't like Moon.

Rinse and repeat.

Japan is part of the US-JPN-SK strategic alliance, upon which SK relies for it's security. To refuse to renew the GSOMIA is tantamount to setting yourself on fire in protest.

Through the ongoing dispute with SK, many Japanese have learned for the first time how different Koreans are from them. Obviously the Koreans have gone a little too far this time. They have completely and irrevocably alienated Japanese people.

Why S Korea is still so angry about Japan dropping SK out of the whitelist? S Korea did tit for tat, but Japan seem not much angry about it as it is an export management. Each country's export management has nothing to do with GSOMIA for making good alliance. SK wants to break it?

Very good environment for SK and Japan to meet and talk. China is home for both.

No, China is the enemy of freedom and democracy.

Minister Kang does not look happy. Just sayin"

What a farce.

The Japanese government is clearly a sucker for punishment. Are they seriously thinking that anything is worth a dialogue over with this South Korean government and Moon?

I am a newly registered member and a Korean. My opinions are naturally biased toward Korean's viewpoint but I'm not here to argue.

Rather, I would like to ask some questions.

It seems that Japanese are sick and tired of Koreans demanding apoloI am a newly registered member and a Korean. My opinions are naturally biased toward Korean's viewpoint but I'm not here to argue.

Rather, I would like to ask some questions.

It seems that Japanese are sick and tired of Koreans demanding apologies for the past sins when the Japanese feels that enough apologies had been made.

Bit in Koreans view, some apologies were made but then almost immediately, the apologies were negated and/or obfuscated by the same people(usually some politicians for political gains I presume) so it's actually worse than not having apologized. Because apologizing and taking back the apology seems like an insult.

Koreans are sick and tired of asking for apology because they feel that it will only come as an insult since it will be immediately denied, negated and obfuscated.

I feel that this is the root of the all the animosities between Korea and japan.

What do you guys think about this? Do u guys agree with my assessment? If not, please comment.

Im trying to understand the root of the problem. Please let me stress that I'm not here to argue.

Exactly how were past official offers of compensation from the Japanese government along with apologies negated or 'obfuscated'? Just because some Japanese politician said something ignorant, that one person somehow negates apologies and compensation from the past? . is very petty

If you truly want answers, then you can do a search of all Korea/Japan related topics and comments on this website, going back at least a month especially in regards to the white list issue.

The root of all these issues recently is the South Korean government deliberately antagonizing the Japanese government and people needlessly. The 2015 agreement between South Korea and Japan to compensate comfort women was dissolved not too long ago on a whim by Moon (wonder what will happen with that money, wink wink). The anti-Japanese South Koreans are the ones obfuscating this issue in my opinion (as opposed to South Koreans who have refused to boycott Japan or attack Japanese people). I've seen them protesting with signs calling for Abe to apologize and to compensate. Apologize for what? Compensate for what? These people support a guy like Moon who dissolves past agreements, agreements that directly compensated former comfort women, and now they march and call for Abe to apologize and compensate? South Korea was the only Asian country on the privileged trading white list, and it held that position for over 15 years. South Korea repeatedly violated export controls and for this reason the Japanese government rightfully removed them from the list.

If Moon and his government had acted like rational adults, it would never have come to this. Instead of sitting down with the Japanese government and working with them to resolve issues in regards to export controls, instead, Moon goes ballistic and angrily shouts that his country would never lose again to Japan, and his administration tacitly approves of anti-Japanese protests and boycotts.

You have to ask yourself, why are so many of these Koreans so incredibly petty and sensitive that they'd make a mountain out of a molehill? And I'm not accepting the excuse that Japan has 'never' apologized, was never being sincere, etc. In spite of the way the South Korean government and many of its anti-Japanese citizens have shown their spite towards Japan the past decades, by comparison, many Japanese have embraced all forms of Korean culture. They eagerly consume Korean products. They eagerly support Korean artists like BTS who performed four shows in Japan last month. The blame lies solely with the Moon government, who seizes every opportunity to bash all things Japanese for absolutely no valid reason imo.

They should have had dialigue before setting to SK (national) judicial attack dog loose on an international target. Of course it's unprecedented for Japanese companies to be hauled into the SK national judicial system.

The SK president reaped what he sowed, now that he finds the the crop rather bitter tasting.

Three stubborn heads sitting in the same room, with China having everything but a democracy.

Japan and Korea better find a more democratic third party than China.

yes Minister Kang is mopping up the mess....

North Korea's missile testing and reports of potentially having miniaturized nukes are a few reasons, in my opinion, that will push SK and Japan back to the table and keep them talking.

I think Moon has been butt hurt by all these tests that NK is doing, because he envisioned himself as being the man that would reunite the country, and at the time, things looked bright, but hell it's NK and Kim right?

Japan and SK are better served as being friends, and hopefully the issues between them can be CALMLY worked out!

This is hurting the economy down here, as weekly flights between SK and Okinawa have been cut in half over the course of the last month, 76 to 36, and that hurts more than just the airlines, but hotels and everyone else connected to the tourism industry! (A nudge to those folks that think "tourism" is the way to go for Okinawa, but it gets hurt when crap like this happens, and people here gotta eat too!)

C'mon, I know it's your job, Taro, but leave these clowns. Quit wasting your time with them. The tourists will eventually come back.

It is all political, diplomatic musical chairs,.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha persona is a lesson in fakery

Kang Kyung-wha is attempting to shore up President Moon Jae-in political/economic failures of Government.

SK is lucky that Japan is even talking to them in good faith, after SK spit in their face last time they tried.

"No, China is the enemy of freedom and democracy."

WoW!, We finally agree on something. Well said.

there was a golden opportunity to put the whole matter of colonisation and WW2 to bed at the very end of the Heisai period. Japan lost the chance.

? You mean this April right? Are you using the Japanese year to imply as if Japan had an opportunity at diplomacy decades ago? Why not just say this April instead of the end of the Heisei period?

It was dealt with. And before the "end of the Heisei period".

I also live here and I also fume at Japan's failure to deal with the Yasukuni war criminals enshrined amongst normal casualties (they should be taken out or a new shrine for the normal casualties), and failure to eradicate memories of Hirohito. But let's be clear, WWII ended 74 years ago and Japan got smashed into oblivion. Apologies and payments have already been made.

By seizing the assets of Japanese corporations in 2019 relating to 74 years ago South Koreans must be crazy to think there would not be repercussions by Japan. What else did they expect?

To constantly refuses to actually take responsibility for its rape of Korea (not just lip service apologies andoney, but actual contrition) is tantamount to Japan setting itself on fire in protests.

Japan was nuked (twice) and firebombed into wasteland. They lost. And you want apologies too.?

All the move of Moon are wrong.

He has initiated this mess, he should fix it by all means.

He should remove this court decision against the Japanese companies.

This dispute has been settled in 1965. Japan has paid but no one won has been given to any forced worker since the Korean government has kept all, this is a truth.

Removing this court decision will be a disgrace for Moon for sure, but this will save the economies of the two countries and lower the anger between the two peoples.

No hesitation please, hurry up and take at last a true good decision.

Looks as if SK had just dissolved GSOMIA.

Talk about before the tongue is dry. LoL

Next stop, the US Military leaving the Korean peninsula.

NK continues to test fire short range low altitude missiles. And SK terminates GSOMIA.......LOLOLOLOL!!

Not true, SK can not be trusted under the current administration. They will pull out of all Japan deals.

I truly hope Korea and Japan can resolve these issues. It has been more than 70 years since all of this happened. I do not think it is beneficial for anyone to keep recycling these issues over and over.

I was impressed with the Emperor's recent statement and I think (or would think) this would help the situation. Japan and Korea working closely together would be an incredibly impressive alliance.

Oof. The picture says it all really. A smile (possibly forced but hard to say for certain from this angle) from Taro Kono, meanwhile Kang Kyung-wha looks as though she can smell a sewer. That's not going to help matters, especially not for South Korea. People won't believe they're being sincere about wanting to improve relations when their Foreign Minister's expression and body language screams "I don't want to be here, I want nothing to do with this."

Still, maybe things will start to work out anyway. Perhaps not under the current SK government, but maybe the next government will be a little less nationalistic and a little more diplomatic.

Learning from mistake accepting it n rising wiser n stronger is japan. Never learning from mistakes taking every thing good from hand that feeds n alys complaining n black mailing N hell bent on spoiling the image is SK so time for Japan to let go off this ungrateful country

Look at her body language in the picture. She has no intention of trying to make a better relationship. Too emotional and too negative. sk needs a diplomat who can do a better job.

Kono's tie doesn't look so frayed... is this just not a good photo?

That was a joke btw. Like this whole situation.

The nuking & firebombing of Japan into oblivion isn't an excuse for Japan to ignore its crimes pre-1945. But it's a pretty good reason why they are sick of constant Korean requests for evermore apologies and payments. It's past 74 years for goodness sake.

Irrespective of what posters like Flute think, the Japanese believe they suffered enough at the end of the war and rebuilt modern Japan from scratch. Therefore modern Japan is sick and tired of Koreans not also getting on with modern day life.

If you think speaking English is the key to bringing the world peace or building a better relationship, your concept of "peace" is distorted. It is more than language, it's emotion. Plus English isn't our language. Stop trying to whitewash Asian diplomacy.

Japan's NK missile detection relies upon it's Aegis fleet in the of Japan. (Not the stupid "East Sea" which could be anywhere on this or other planet). SK's relies on land based radars. To date, Japan's system has been more accurate, and South Korea loses more. Not just in terms of accuracy, but now SK will have to rely solely on the information US provides. And rest assured that the US-JPN alliance holds a higher priority than US-SK.

Especially since it is evident that SK is leaving the US camp by unilaterally disrupting the 3-way alliance. The left wing South Koreans who worship North Korea can go join their Northern brothers. The US doesn't need to spend money or manpower defending such a pathetic country where reneging and betrayal seems to be a national trait.

So... Japan approves a second shipment of the sensitive materials, SK answers with the scrapping of a security agreement? Interesting tactic. Don't waste your time Kono.

Saw her tonight on BBC’s HardTalk and she was pretty unconvincing and a bit flustered. Korea has brought this upon themselves and clearly do not want to move on. I’m glad to see Japan standing up for itself.

Chip Star, if China is enemy of freedom and democracy, then SK and Japan are not freedom and democratic nations.

That may be what passes for logic in a totalitarian country like China, but it falls well short of what actually is logic.

I think this Korean video sums it up hilariously...https://youtu.be/Ptyzc4BQliY

Chip Star, if China is enemy of freedom and democracy, then SK and Japan are not freedom and democratic nations.

If I was refused to live in Japan and had to choose between Mainland China and South Korea, heck, the choice is clear. To speak it out: South Korea of course, despite the fact of their current childish government.

On topic: Useless talks. The comments I read from the SK delegation is nothing but "we might make it out of this mess we created without being hurt too much and not to admit anything to Japan, let's play the Fukushima card a bit stronger to distract the world a bit more".

Sorry with the best intention, I don't think so.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, appeared to be considerably less fervent to any realistic heartfelt form of political or diplomatic reconciliation.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono might as well be shaking hands a pungent kipper.

She looks really happy about the meeting.

@shallots

did they color coordinate for this photo?

Very funny.

I never got the "two politicians shaking hands" photo op.

Are people really impressed by it?

It's nice to read South Korea is going to discover that twice as much food is safe to eat. That's paying to do good PR for Japan.

but this will save the economies of the two countries

Oh yes, as soon as 50 million Koreans start buying Japanese goods again, Japan's economy will be saved. Yes I am being sarcastic

@Samit BasuT

the US won't leave even if asked to. Remember, its 7 second launch detection from Korea vs 15 minute launch detection from Alaska.

If the US was not such an aggressor and meddler, and engaged in a policy of Asian domination, they would not have to worry about any rockets from anywhere.

 There is no reason to doubt Japanese suppliers; their survival depends on keep supplying Samsung and SK Hynix.

Oh I don't doubt Japanese suppliers at all. I doubt SK will do anything in good faith regardless of what happens. Just two days ago NK was saying they would never sit down and talk with SK again. It's less about what Japan does and more about what NK says. Basically... Kim says jump, Moon jumps.

Interesting when immediately following this... they cancel the sharing of intelligence.

All this "facade" was to get economic advantage in the guise of a "better" relationship.

When governments do not "share" intelligence (the most critical part of any relationship) all other relationships are but a poor accommodation to give the "appearance" of a good relationship.

Northeast Asians love northeast Asians.

Dunno. I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Japan and China and speak the languages to some extent ( Japanese well, Mandarin poorly ). I like the people of both countries.

Unfortunately, the dislike I hear from many Japanese towards Chinese and vice versa is depressing. It can get really ugly at times. The opinion polls seem to reflect this.

did they color coordinate for this photo?

I hope something comes from this. This is a Far East/Oriental affair and they know the issues better than anyone else.

Korea (and China) is never gonna put the past behind their backs, so all this so called "dialogue" is never gonna be much effective. they don,t want to move on the same way as Japan does. being neighbors is a problem, they can,t run from each other, this will keep going on and on and on...

It is a mistake not to admit mistake.

To learn from mistakes is the best parental advice that one can ever get.

I am a newly registered member and a Korean. My opinions are naturally biased toward Korean's viewpoint but I'm not here to argue.

Rather, I would like to ask some questions.

It seems that Japanese are sick and tired of Koreans demanding apologies for the past sins when the Japanese feels that enough apologies had been made.

Bit in Koreans view, some apologies were made but then almost immediately, the apologies were negated and/or obfuscated by the same people(usually some politicians for political gains I presume) so it's actually worse than not having apologized. Because apologizing and taking back the apology seems like an insult.

Koreans are sick and tired of asking for apology because they feel that it will only come as an insult since it will be immediately denied, negated and obfuscated.

I feel that this is the root of the all the animosities between Korea and japan.

What do you guys think about this? Do u guys agree with my assessment? If not, please comment.

Im trying to understand the root of the problem. Please let me stress that I'm not here to argue.

Mr Kono must be a strong guy because, if Ms Kang stared at me with those steely eyes longer than five minutes, I'd probably just give her whatever she asked for. She looks quite determined. In fact, taking a closer look, her eyes look the same way that Elizabeth Warren's eyes sometimes look, "Don't mess with me or I'll show you what your liver looks like!" It's a very attractive look, high intelligence mixed with a take-no-[poop] mentality. Good luck, Mr Kono. And how much per hour does Japan owe? Overtime too? And unused vacation time?? It's awful when estranged brothers argue over trivial things and, by all past philosophers, 'pride' is a trivial thing but can become very dangerous. "Whom the gods would destroy, they first give Pride" and two despicable atomic bombs. And the two could be so much more powerful fully partners, finally free themselves together of military occupation because they can depend on each other and part of one of them is already on the nuclear path and unlikely to stop. Unity. Among the Altaic speakers. That would be co-prosperity at its finest.

From a third of the way around the world, the disputes between SK and Japan seem inconsequential and silly.

Visit more, meat more, talk more, hug more, help each other more, sing together more, that is being neighbors about.

@OssanJapan

Japan's NK missile detection relies upon it's Aegis fleet in the of Japan.

1) Aegis radars cannot be on 24 hours a day. It must be turned off periodically to cool down and for maintenance.

2) Korea employs four high-power long range ballistic radars, two in pair so they take turn in operation and allow downtime to provide a continuous coverage.

3) Japanese Aegis radars had trouble tracking NK ballistic missiles, this is why Japan began its GSOMIA obsession.

Not just in terms of accuracy, but now SK will have to rely solely on the information US provides.

1) Korea has no need for radar feed from Japan.

2) Japan's observation satellites are obsolete and are no better than commercial imaging satellites in resolution.

3) The 5-set constellation of Korea's brand new military satellites are going online right now.

 Especially since it is evident that SK is leaving the US camp

This is a pure fantasy circulating among Japanese rights.

@Haaa Nemiu

So... Japan approves a second shipment of the sensitive materials, SK answers with the scrapping of a security agreement?

Japanese material suppliers pledged to do whatever it takes to get around Abe's export control and keep supplying Samsung and SK Hynix. There is no reason to doubt Japanese suppliers; their survival depends on keep supplying Samsung and SK Hynix.

Japan's semiconductor industry has collapsed and Japan itself has no use for these materials; only Korea and Taiwan can use them, 2/3rd going to Korea and 1/3rd Taiwan. Now, losing 2/3 of your contract volume with no obvious replacement customer can be fatal to suppliers.

sometimes the best action to take is no action at all...just saying...

@TigersTokyoDome

I do not understand what you mean by moving forward.

It is not like the mass bombing of Japan is still put under a blanket by Japanese people neither by the world. Hiroshima and Nagasaki are taught in school in several countries, the commemoration come every year and you can watch documentary, movies, ... for it in other country too. It is not like things went smoothly either. They just had more time.

https://time.com/5358113/hiroshima-nagasaki-history-reconciliation/

Victims want to court but lost :

https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl-nat.nsf/caseLaw.xsp?documentId=AA559087DBCF1AF5C1256A1C0029F14D&action=openDocument&xp_countrySelected=JP&xp_topicSelected=GVAL-992BUP&from=state

Victims asked for apologize but lost :

https://news.yahoo.com/hiroshima-atomic-bomb-victims-want-apology-obama-115648493.html

The situation of Japan and Korea are different but there is also similarities.

Back in last October couldn't Japan just ignore the court ruling and keep things as they were? 

Ship's sailed. And seeing as it's being run by right wing bigots and good ol'fashioned racists, there's no coming back from the damage. Buckle up.

Forced thinking and forced ideology are dangerous mix.

Denial is fake.

Through the ongoing dispute with SK, many Japanese have learned for the first time how different Koreans are from them.

As if Koreans were ever considered similar to the ‘superior’ Japanese. With all the best selling anti Korean books in special sections of bookstores (mind you, the only country that brazenly has a section dedicated to hate books), the Japanese have always believed Koreans are very different.

Back in last October couldn't Japan just ignore the court ruling and keep things as they were? I believe none of this would have happened...

@OssanJapan

NK continues to test fire short range low altitude missiles. 

And Japan can't see the next incoming missiles after the early warning radar cutoff.

This meeting between Kang and Kono was the last ultimatum before the termination, and Kono didn't get the message.

@Triring

Next stop, the US Military leaving the Korean peninsula.

That would never happen and the US won't leave even if asked to. Remember, its 7 second launch detection from Korea vs 15 minute launch detection from Alaska.

Bob Woodward's book makes it clear US officials will steal an executive order letter from a president's desk to keep this capability.

You can only bully for so long. Eventually the victims rise to give bullies a bloody nose. That time is now!! The 24th is almost here.

Japan was nuked (twice) and firebombed into wasteland. They lost. And you want apologies too.?

Irrelevant.

The mass bombing (nuclear or not) was done by US. That US as a "country" own apologies and acknowledgements of wrong doing to the people suffering from it doesn't erase the fact than Japan as a "country" own apologies and acknowledgements of wrong doing at the people which suffered from it.

The fact that you can give explanation of wrong doing doesn't make the wrong doing any better. And it is not to be use by politicians as an excuse but to be use as a way to avoid them to happen again. I am not talking about only territory scale but at a world scale too. See how many people just jump to : "A did it so B can too." That is the petty excuse we saw all around.

Japan can take a major role in making things better or at least trying. They are in a position to and its people can too. They are not some little kiddos so weak than their feeling will be hurt by seeing a statue or facing history and war horrors.

@kawaiiasian

sk needs a diplomat who can do a better job.

In case you haven't heard in person, Kang speaks English like a native-speaker, you would mistake her for a Washington DC policy analyst if you heard her over radio.

Kono's English by comparison is lacking. Kono speaks good English by Japanese standard, but he cannot be compared to Kang.

WoW!, We finally agree on something. Well said.

The difference is that I say it because it's the truth whereas you think it because it denigrates China and makes Japan look good.

And, before you start slinging the trite "Japan hater" nonsense, I love Japan and live here. That, however, does not mean I should not point out Japan's shortcomings.

Very well put Chip Star. SK does not have the luxary of having armies of people making excuses for very shotcoming that Japan has.

As I have commented previously, there was a golden opportunity to put the whole matter of colonisation and WW2 to bed at the very end of the Heisai period. Japan lost the chance.

Imcidently, the best advice I would give to those people who see Japan through rose tinted spectacles is : don't fall in love with something that you cannot have, or does not recipicate the feeling.

Japan is part of the US-JPN-SK strategic alliance, upon which SK relies for it's security. To refuse to renew the GSOMIA is tantamount to setting yourself on fire in protest.

South Korea is part of the US-JPN-SK strategic alliance upon which both South Korea and Japan rely for their security. To constantly refuses to actually take responsibility for its rape of Korea (not just lip service apologies andoney, but actual contrition) is tantamount to Japan setting itself on fire in protests.

Its always amusing how apologists for Japan conveniently leave facts out of their narrative.

And, before you start slinging the trite "Japan hater" nonsense, I love Japan and live here. That, however, does not mean I should not point out Japan's shortcomings.

Chip Star, if China is enemy of freedom and democracy, then SK and Japan are not freedom and democratic nations.

Very good environment for SK and Japan to meet and talk. China is home for both.