Historical Grievances in the Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea more than Half a Century after Their Normalization

The article deals with the issues of the historical past rooting the conflict between Japan and the Republic of Korea since their normalization in 1965. Historical grievances have already gone beyond academic disputes to become part of the political discourse. Creating a destructive psychological atmosphere in bilateral relations, these conflicts are manifested in emotional street speeches and demonstrations, mutual exchange of accusations by government officials, and even in the recall of ambassadors. The most important reason for the conflict over the historical past is the South Korean side's dissatisfaction with the terms of normalization of bilateral relations with Japan held in June 1965, according to which the parties renounced any mutual claims related to the period of Japanese colonial rule, while simultaneously accepting Japan's commitment to provide financial assistance to the South Korean government, conditional on its economic development goals. Many South Koreans believe that Japan did not properly repent and did not suffer due punishment for its colonial rule in Korea, and that the real victims did not receive adequate compensation from Tokyo. The greatest public response among the unresolved problems of the historical past is the problem of “comfort women” and the problem of forced labor mobilization of Koreans who were transported to the homeland during the war. In Japan, however, it is believed that the country's leadership has already sufficiently expressed its apologies in the past and that the problem of material compensation has already been completely resolved. The rise of nationalist sentiment in East Asia, which has equally affected Japan and South Korea, does not allow for a proper compromise. Against this background, the issues of the historical past will remain on the agenda of bilateral relations for an indefinite period of time.

Keywords

“Historical grievances”, Japanese colonial rule, Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea, renunciation of claims, ‘comfort women’, Kono statement, forced labor mobilization

Acknowledgment

This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (Project № 19-18-00017 “Problems of the historical past in Japan's relations with the countries of East Asia and Russia. Lessons for Russia”).

Received

26.06.2020

Publication date

14.12.2020

Number of characters

43703

Cite

GOST	Streltsov D. Historical Grievances in the Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea more than Half a Century after Their Normalization // ISTORIYA – 2020. – V. 11. – Issue 12 (98). Part I [Electronic resource]. URL: https://history.jes.su/S207987840010266-1-1 (circulation date: 27.04.2024). DOI: 10.18254/S207987840010266-1
MLA	Streltsov, Dmitry "Historical Grievances in the Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea more than Half a Century after Their Normalization." ISTORIYA 11.12-1 (98) (2020) DOI: 10.18254/S207987840010266-1
APA	Streltsov D. (2020). Historical Grievances in the Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea more than Half a Century after Their Normalization. ISTORIYA 11(12-1 (98)) DOI: 10.18254/S207987840010266-1

100 rub.

When subscribing to an article or issue, the user can download PDF, evaluate the publication or contact the author. Need to register.

Number of purchasers: 0, views: 649

Readers community rating: votes 0

1. Grinyuk V. A. Yapono-yuzhnokorejskie otnosheniya: v teni tragicheskogo proshlogo // Aktual'nye problemy sovremennoj Yaponii. 2007. № 23. S. 115—127 [Ehlektronnyj resurs]. URL: http://www.ifes-ras.ru/images/abook_file/apsj_23.pdf

2. Yosidzava Fumitosi. Kyo-kara mita nikkan kajdan (Yapono-yuzhnokorejskie peregovory s pozitsij segodnyashnego dnya) // Sehnso sehkinin kehnkyu. № 31. Vesna—leto 2001 g. S. 15—21 [Ehlektronnyj resurs]. URL: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/70372216.pdf

3. Agreement Between Japan and the Republic of Korea Concerning the Settlement of Problems in Regard to Property and Claims and Economic Cooperation.

4. Guex Samuel Legality or Legitimacy: Revisiting Debates on the Korea-Japan Annexation Treaties // The Spirit of Korean Law: Korean Legal History in Context. Brill, 2016.

5. Hamada Tomoko. Contested Memories of the Imperial Sun: History Textbook Controversy in Japan// American Asian Review. 2002. № 20 (4). P. 1—37.

6. Hayashi Hirofumi. Disputes in Japan over the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” System and Its Perception in History// The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. Vol. 617. The Politics of History in Comparative Perspective. May, 2008. P. 123—132.

7. Kim Sarah. 50 years after Korea-Japan pact, some issues won’t go away// Korea Joongang Daily. June 23, 2015 [Ehlektronnyj resurs]. URL: http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3005725

8. Kingston Jeff. Awkward Talisman: War Memory, Reconciliation and Yasukuni // East Asia. 2007. Vol. 24. P. 295—318

9. Kingston Jeff. Uneasy neighbors across the sea // The Japan Times. 22.08.2010 [Ehlektronnyj resurs]. URL: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2010/08/22/general/uneasy-neighbors-across-the-sea/#.Xoil7MgzYuU

10. Onuma Yasuaki. Japanese War Guilt and Postwar Responsibilities of Japan// Berkeley Journal of International Law. 2002. № 20. P. 600—620.

11. Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono on the result of the study on the issue of “comfort women”. August 4, 1993/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Ehlektronnyj resurs]. URL: https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/women/fund/state9308.html

12. Suh J. J. War-like history or diplomatic history? Contentions over the past and regional orders in Northeast Asia Australian Journal of International Affairs. Vol. 61. № 3. P. 382—402.

13. Suzuki Shogo. Overcoming Past Wrongs Committed by States: Can Non-state Actors Facilitate Reconciliation? // Social & Legal Studies. 21(2). P. 201—213.

14. Tanaka Yuki. Japan's Comfort Women: Sexual Slavery and Prostitution during World War II and the U. S. Occupation. L.; N. Y., 2002.

15. Togo Kazuhiko. Japan’s reconciliation diplomacy in Northeast Asia // D. J. Brown and Jeff Kingston (eds). Japan’s Foreign Relations in Asia. L., 2018. P. 144—157.

16. Treaty of Peace with Japan. Signed at San Francisco. 8 September 1951. Taiwan Documents Project [Ehlektronnyj resurs]. URL: http://www.taiwandocuments.org/sanfrancisco01.htm

17. Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea// Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Ehlektronnyj resurs]. URL: https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/treaty/pdfs/A-S40-237.pdf ; URL: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Agreement_Between_Japan_and_the_Republic_of_Korea_Concerning_the_Settlement_of_Problems_in_Regard_to_Property_and_Claims_and_Economic_Cooperation

18. Yamazaki Jane. Japanese Apologies for World War II: a rhetorical study. L., 2006.