On August 18, 2023, a meeting was held between the President of the United States of America (USA) Joe Biden, South Korean President Yoon suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida[1] BIn this context, it can be argued that China’s rapid growth, proactive foreign policy stance and growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region have led to a rapprochement between Seoul and Tokyo.
Yoon suk Yeol made the following statements in his speech: [2]
“Our countries are stronger, and the world will be safer, as we stand together. I know that’s a belief that we all three share. Today is a historic day.”
In this meeting, not only the issue of China was on the agenda, but North Korea also had an important place. As a matter of fact, at the meeting, the parties agreed to conduct regular joint exercises, consult each other during crises, share real-time data on North Korea, and hold summits every year.
In this context, it can be said that common concerns are the main reason why Japan and South Korea have been able to build a basis for cooperation by leaving the problems between them behind. There are many important historical problems between Tokyo and Seoul. The first of these can be said to be the problem of “comfort women”. [3] Another is the issue of compensation for forced workers. [4] At the same time, the Dokdo/Takeshima Island issue [5] is also an important problem between the two actors. Moreover, South Korea thinks that Japan should apologize for its actions during the Korean occupation [6] between 1910 and 1945.
On the other hand, the issue of compensation for forced labor created a trade dispute between South Korea and Japan in 2018. [7] However, in the context of the struggle against China and the threat posed by North Korea, it can be argued that Japan and South Korea pursue a common foreign policy within the framework of the Western Bloc It can be said that the meeting between the USA, South Korea and Japan held at Camp David was a turning point in the relations between these three actors.
Moreover, it can be argued that these three actors will take new security-based actions in the Asia-Pacific Region. This could provoke both China and North Korea in the region. Such situations may mean the signing of more agreements in the fields of defense, diplomacy and technology. [8]
Andrew Yeo from the Brookings Institution made the following assessment of the situation in question:[9]
“Tensions that run deep, particularly in South Korea due to past historical animosities related to Japan’s colonisation of Korea, do not disappear overnight, and we’re likely to continue to see diplomatic spats arise. The Japanese Defense Ministry claimed Dokdo/Takeshima Island as its own in its national security strategy.”
In conclusion, it can be argued that relations along the Washington-Seoul-Tokyo line will continue to ebb and flow and that the respective governments will need to implement their shared vision proactively and beyond the conditions of leadership. If leaders with different ideologies are elected in the next elections, for example a South Korean president with left-wing ideologies and a Japanese leader with right-wing ideologies, any one of them could disrupt all the unity work that Biden, Yoon and Kishida are currently putting forward.
[1] “Japan, South Korea and U.S. Hail Ties, but Staying Power Questioned”, The Japan Times, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/08/20/japan/politics/south-korea-japan-us-trilateral-summit-analysis/, (Erişim Tarihi: 21.08.2023).
[2] “US-Japan-S Korea Summit a Coup for Biden but Will Détente Last?”, British Broadcasting Corporation News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66543514, (Erişim Tarihi: 21.08.2023).
[3] “A Guide to Understanding the History of the ‘Comfort Women’ Issue”, United States Institute of Peace, https://www.usip.org/publications/2022/09/guide-understanding-history-comfort-women-issue, (Erişim Tarihi: 21.08.2023).
[4] “South Korea, US, Japan Call for Support of Ban on North Korea Workers”, Voice of America News, https://www.voanews.com/a/south-korea-us-japan-call-for-support-of-ban-on-north-korea-workers-/7040758.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 21.08.2023).
[5] “Two Nations Disputed These Small Islands for 300 Years”, National Geographic, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/history-dispute-photos-dodko-rocks-islands, (Erişim Tarihi: 21.08.2023).
[6] “South Korean Plan Aims to Heal Forced Labor Feud with Japan”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-japan-forced-laborers-colonial-rule-e8e828901148c2f2528ce557f445772b, (Erişim Tarihi: 21.08.2023).
[7] “Japan and South Korea Put Aside Rows to Fight Financial Crisis”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-korea-japan-idUKTRE50B04520090112, (Erişim Tarihi: 21.08.2023).
[8] “US-Japan-S Korea Summit a Coup for Biden but Will Détente Last?”, British Broadcasting Corporation News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66543514, (Erişim Tarihi: 21.08.2023).
[9] Same place
