Yoon wishes for return to best period of S Korea-Japan relations

..the left-leaning Moon Jae In, ties between Tokyo and Seoul deteriorated to their worst in decades over wartime labor and territorial issues. Moon is known as an anti-Japan politician.

His parents were from Hungnam in North Korea. He was not just the most anti-Japan South Korean politician but the most North Korea appeasing one as well. It is unfortunate that at the same time Moon was in office, the US had a POTUS who was willing to break US policy since 1950 in office and went along with him, allowing for a silly media photo-op circus that ultimately resulted in absolutely nothing.

@OssanJapan

His parents were from Hungnam in North Korea

And your point is? Kim Jong Un's mother came from Osaka, but that didn't make Kim pro-Japan either.

Anyhow, looks like liquidation will go ahead next year as Yoon's mediation attempts failed, and the relations will sink to the all times low.

1) Forced labor's lawyers already rejected Yoon administration's proposal.

2) Korean courts keep issuing liquidation orders of Japanese assets in each case, meaning their stance regarding asset liquidations have not changed.

3) Yoon administration is not a participant in the lawsuits between the forced laborers and Japanese corporations; they can make arbitration suggestions, but the court has no obligation to take it if both sides do not accept. Only the agreement between the forced laborers and Japanese defendants can stop asset liquidations, but there is no agreement.

4) The only way to prevent asset liquidation is for the Japanese government to directly reach an agreement with forced laborer's lawyers, not Yoon administration. Yoon cannot stop the asset liquidation if the forced laborers want the liquidation to go ahead.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221228_19/

Nippon Steel appeals S.Korean court order over asset sale

Wednesday, Dec. 28, 7:14

Japan's Nippon Steel has appealed a South Korean court ruling ordering the sale of assets seized from the company to compensate South Korean plaintiffs seeking damages for wartime labor.

An interesting observation is that Nippon Steel actually pointed out to Yoon's mediation attempts as the reason to suspend the asset sales, but the Appeals Court ruled Yoon administration was not a participants in this case and whatever Yoon administration was doing had no bearing in the outcome of these cases.

And the current waves of liquidation orders are handed out by appeals court at the direction of the supreme court.

This is why Korean legal observers are pessimistic that Japanese asset liquidations can be prevented unless Kishida accepts two conditions of forced laborers, which are 1) Japanese defendants contribute to compensation fund 2) Japanese defendants issue written apology.

But there is some kind of misunderstanding taking place at Kishida administration that the asset liquidation can be prevented if they reach some kind of watered down agreement with Yoon administration. Yoon cannot stop liquidation if both forced laborers and Japanese defendants don't come to an agreement.

USA is pushing this for a united front against China.

@Rodney

USA is pushing this for a united front against China.

The US should be arm-twisting Kishida administration if that's the case.

@Awa no Gaijin

No need to twist kishida

Then whom should the US arm-twist, the elderly forced laborers?

This can only end amicably if Kishida administration accepts the demands of forced laborers. There is no other way.

What ? Really ?

You didn't know?

https://www.asiapress.org/rimjin-gang/2022/02/politics/ko-yong-hui/

Kim Jong-un's Mother, Ko Yong-hui, was Born in Osaka: Did She Share Her Memories of Japan with Her Son? ISHIMARU Jiro

2022.02.22

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ko_Yong-hui

Ko Yong-hui

Born 26 June 1952 Osaka, Japan

Died 13 August 2004 (aged 52) Paris, France

Had Japan driven by its hatred of Koreans not started the ethnic Korean repatriation program to North Korea, Kim Jong Un's mother would not have been repatriated to North Korea and Kim Jong Un would not have been born, ensuring that pro-West Kim Jong Nam would be the supreme leader of North Korea today, and Japan would not be facing the barrage of North Korean ballistic missiles today.

Better relations with S. Korea sounds good. But Komeito is the political arm of a cult-like religious group. Shouldn't they be a bit quieter right now?

Yumster100Today  09:34 am JST

Had Japan driven by its hatred of Koreans not started the ethnic Korean repatriation program to North Korea,

Total nonsense. The repatriation of Koreans was ordered by GHQ Allied occupational government 1945-1952. Only blind hatred of Japanese could lead to such a factually incorrect statement.

The days when Japan bows to South Korea are over.

Correction:

Samit BasuToday  09:00 am JST

Had Japan driven by its hatred of Koreans not started the ethnic Korean repatriation program to North Korea,

Total nonsense. The repatriation of Koreans was ordered by GHQ Allied occupational government 1945-1952. Only blind hatred of Japanese could lead to such a factually incorrect statement

Had Japan driven by its hatred of Koreans not started the ethnic Korean repatriation program 

Rather ironic that you should speak of anyone being driven by hatred. Have you read your own posts? It's disgusting that political factions are able to exploit the fears and hatreds of citizens to create conflict. There is no reason Japan and Korea can't be like the US and Canada - except for special interests who benefit from division.

2) Korean courts keep issuing liquidation orders of Japanese assets in each case, meaning their stance regarding asset liquidations have not changed.

Korean court is doing nothing. Keeps waiting and waiting for Japan's reaction or approval to sell the assets.

Just like GSOMIA dear friend, you Koreans talk a big talk, but can't never pull the trigger. Japan is too important, maybe you never got the email telling you about it.

Korean court is garbage, Yoon allowed Samsung CEO out of prison/jail to help the economy. That's how much justice and law matters in South Korea. 0 None, as long as you help Korea, crimes are ok, acceptable!

Half of Korea, would not exist today if Japan did not allow its waters and land to be used. In any future Korean War, Japan's land and water will have to be used again to save your half of S. Korea.

South Korea is the only country to agree with China, North Korea and Russia on anti-Japan views and comments, you S. Koreans are The weak link in the alliance! The one making promises to Beijing China is you Koreans.

It's gonna be difficult to do so after they spent so much time brainwashing their population into believing "I hate Japan" or "Japan is so bad."

When I was in Korea, I met so many kids (including 7 y/o) who told me how much they dislike or hate Japan, despite them not knowing anything going on outside their neighborhoods.

Return to the best period of SK-Japan relations? I can’t remember when that was or whether such a period has ever existed between the two countries.

I've met some Korean-Americans who spent all their time on the net bashing Japan. Not just repeating the SK narrative but just making up information. Apparently being Korean diaspora they think they can prove their "Koreaness" by doing this. Funny thing is these folks can't post on South Korean sites because they can't write Hangul. Plus real South Koreans treat them at arms length as diaspora. So they push their agenda on English speaking sites.

Probably the "best period" between the two was from the early 2000s until the mid-'10s before relations-sabotaging Moon and ultra-Hawk Abe came into power.

The tourists though (read regular people not caught up in politics) had no problems with each other and travelled extensively to each others' countries until the pandemic.

Awa no GaijinToday  12:34 pm JST

Funny thing is these folks can't post on South Korean sites because they can't write Hangul.

Interesting factoid is Hangul was created in North Korea in secrecy and wasn't released until the creator died

Another intersting factoid is that North Korea did not exist in 1443 when Hangul was created.

This is positive. Any increased cooperation between the two countries is good for security and prosperity. Both countries need to move on and realise they're better off together

every (south) korean i have met has been totally cool and a great person, and loves Japan. maybe because most of them i met in Japan, and some doing a working holiday in Oz. guess most of the anti-japan hatred remains within SK...and probably the older generation, like these greasy politicians running the country

@tokyo-star

probably the older generation

Actually it's the YOUNGER generation that's anti-Japan, not necessarily the old.

Unlike the older generation who once looked upto Japan as a role model to follow, the younger generation only knew Japan that's essentially a "failed state", so in their perspective, "failed, weak, and poorer" Japan must obey "stronger, mightier, and richer" Korea.

So anti-Japan sentiment began to rise with the decline of Japan since the early 2000s.

Same development took place in China, where anti-Japan sentiment started to grow after China overtook Japan in GDP.

@Awa no Gaijin

born there but not really from there.

Kim Jong Un's mom was born and raised in Osaka until she was repatriated to North Korea at age 10 under Japan's "Repatriate ethnic Koreans to North Korea" program.

Had Japan not repatriated Kim Jong Un's mother to North Korea in 1962, Kim Jong Un would not have been born and the current supreme leader of North Korea would be assassinated Kim Jong Nam, who was pro-West and pro-Reforms.

Closer relations between Japan and South Korea strengthens both against Chinese and North Korean aggression. With Jinping the warmonger planning a war to subjugate Taiwan, and North Korea as unhinged as ever and launching missiles in all directions, it makes sense to work together with each other and with the US to defend peace in the region.

Until China and North Korea stop their arms buildups and begin to act like responsible peaceful nations, others must work hard to contain their military aspirations and adventurism for the good of all. A close relationship between Japan and South Korea could be a potent Asian force for stability and peace that others in the region could join with as a force for good.

The South Koreans know that a powerful trilateral defense alliance is in their interests, but they just cannot help themselves. Left or Right, when they get into a jam, blame Japan. Its the default move.

Want better relations?

Stop breaking your "final" agreements, stop putting up these inflammatory statues in 3rd countries, and remember that the war ended 77 years ago.

So anti-Japan sentiment began to rise with the decline of Japan since the early 2000s.

Actually, Sammi's not too far from the truth there. I'd say it was closer to the 2010's. This would coincide with the rise of the snowflake and cancel-culture generations.

Right about the time social media started to pick up, followed by the access to instant Internet with the newly device, smartphones. Where anyone who said anything would go viral because people would often react and answer emotionally, instead of thinking things through a bit longer.

And also my comment about to get the ban hammer for saying something so offensive in 3, 2, 1...

Maybe the journalist meant “better,” Instead of “ best.”

Actually it's the YOUNGER generation that's anti-Japan, not necessarily the old.

wonder if it's got something to do with the socioeconomic status of each individual? because all the SK people i have met were young (early 20s to mid 30s), could afford to travel overseas, decent command of english and/or japanese and had basic international common sense. maybe the younger peeps from more downtrodden, blue collar sectors/regions akin to bogans in Oz might hold a more anti-japan sentiment...? any reliable stats on something like this?

Kim Jong nam(?), if he had become the Paramount Leader of North korea, would likely face a coup if he tried to open up. He would need to do gradually or face a kruschevian exit or a gorbachevian exit + dissolution.

To hangeul: wasn't that created by King Sejeong in the 15th century, but scholars thought too feminine, preferring Hanja (like hiragana vs kanji in japan)?

Later became acceptable and seen as more Korean in the 19th and 20th centuries?

And if the other authors are referring to me, I'm a korean-kiwi, not American. ;)

Seeing that he's the South Korean president, history tells us there's a 50% chance he'll soon be jailed for corruption.