Japan, S Korea at odds over wartime issues, but vow to improve ties

I've heard that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.

What can be said for those who live in the past or don't accept blame for what happened in the past?

This won't end until a generation or two on both sides have been replaced. Especially the politicians on both sides. Both here in Japan and in South Korea, politics is dominated by men over 60-70 who are still living in the old days, the old wrongs, and generally unwilling to move forward and compromise. In the 30 years I've been watching it here, it's just like a game of tennis - once party A accuses party B of doing this or that and not doing this or that, then it's exactly the opposite. And both sides use exactly the same arguments against the public. Instead of looking for solutions, they just bring up old wrongs, make protest notes, make as many demonstrative visits to certain places as possible,.... Instead of looking for a solution or compromise, they invent reasons why it cannot be done and discuss why it cannot be done. And the ultimate icing on the cake are the extreme nationalists on both sides who are adding fuel to the fire.

Allowing the past, which can not be altered, to disrupt the present and the future needs of both nations is illogical.

A way must be found to agree to disagree on issues from the past, so that the more important business of now and tomorrow can be worked on together, for the mutual benefit of both countries and indeed the whole region.

It will not be easy, but it is better for both that they do so.

The only way in which the issues between SKorea and Japan can be permanently resolved is through adjuduication by the International Court of Justice. A Court ruling can resolve the issue of ownership of the Liancourt Rocks. A Court ruling can resolve the issue of whether the 1965 Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and South Korea covered compensation to civilians, which would cover forced labor and Comfort Women.

Civilized democratic nations resolve their differences in accordance with the rule of law.

Japan is a signatory to the Agreement which binds Japan to accept ICJ jurisdiction and rulings. If any nation brings a claim against Japan to the ICJ, it is compelled to answer it through the Court.

South Korea is not a signatory. To date, Japan has requested South Korea to settle the Liancourt Rocks dispute three times, starting in 1952. And South Korea has refused each time.

Clearly, either South Korea does not feel confident in proving their case before an impartial international tribunal, or, South Korea finds it domestically beneficial to perpetuate a state of disagreement with Japan.

This won't end until a generation or two on both sides have been replaced.

I doubt that. The new generation will already have the old views and attitudes instilled in them

This issue may never be resolved because if it is then they have nothing to fight over about.