politics

Abe seeks summit with S Korea's Park

21 Comments
By Jack Kim and Antoni Slodkowski

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21 Comments
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As long as Park is the president nothing will happen. She was the daughter of a pro-Japanese imperial army. What she's been doing is acting stubborn and childish trying to portray that she's different from her father. The way she acted in the previous trilateral talks with Japan and the US was so immature. Abe was a gentleman and tried to speak korean to her but she acted like a brat. I don't see any improvement in Korea's part anytime soon. I will praise Abe for the effort but people don't have enthusiasm for this.

6 ( +17 / -11 )

Increase the peace!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@titaniujmdioxide

South Korea does not see significance in improving relations with Japan and they no longer sees improving relations as a priorty. Bilateral trade between Japan and South Korea has been reduced by 50 percent in the last decade. Heck, Hyundai does not sell any cars in Japan. Even their smartphone, the Samsung stuggles in Japan with around 5 percent of the smartphone market. South Korea donated over $50 million dollars after the 3/11, and what did the J-goverment do? They send 4 goverment reps to South Korea to go near Dokdo Island and protest that island belongs to Japan? Talk about diplomacy.

-3 ( +11 / -14 )

Does the populace of Korea really want to sacrifice the benefits that can be obtained from having better relations with Japan or do they wish for no improvement for the sake of a few women even if their stories are true. How many ordinary Korean people really care about getting apologies or individual reparations for the few while sacrificing the possibility that the Korean economy and security status may suffer? Or do they really want to have nothing to do with Japan?

8 ( +12 / -4 )

@Onsen

Japanese system has been creating young people who get annoyed by all the complaints that China and South Korea make about war atrocities because they are not taught what they are complaining about. The government deliberately tries not to teach young people the details of Japan's atrocities. If you experience history education in two countries, the way history is taught in Japan has at least one advantage, students come away with a comprehensive understanding of when events happened, in what order.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

@sfjp300

South Korea donated over $50 million dollars after the 3/11, and what did the J-goverment do? They send 4 goverment reps to South Korea to go near Dokdo Island and protest that island belongs to Japan?

You know, when Japan tries to paper over things with money, people criticize it as "checkbook diplomacy" or "buying peace with money" or the like.

Japanese system has been creating young people who get annoyed by all the complaints that China and South Korea make about war atrocities because they are not taught what they are complaining about.

I know something of what they are complaining about, and I've already lost all sympathy to be honest.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I'm giving this comment as an outsider looking in (a foreigner living in Korea that will soon be moving to Japan and who had sent time in Japan, as well):

The Korean and Japanese cultures are very much rooted in respect and politeness. This can be seen through how much each country apologizes and goes out of their way to make things right (it has much to do with ties to Confusionism and each country's Chinese influences).

If you ask most Koreans, all they really want is a genuine apology and for the Japanese people to not (and especially not the government, being that the government, sadly, is seen as a direct reflection of its citizens- which is unfortunate for ANY country, normally) pray to those shrines where these war criminals are placed. For them, it feels like a slap in the face and as though the apology was all an act. Korea feels like the kinds of humility offered from Germany after WWII should be afforded to them from Japan (it's very sad, really. Because of the war, there are only about 3 or 4 original buildings left in Korea. Temples, homes, places of business were all either repurposed or burned to the ground, so they LITERALLY have almost no historical sites that aren't recreations because of such, which would upset me, too, honestly).

If you talk to most Japanese, they don't like the fact that (and are even saddened by the fact that) Koreans judge everyone in their country as being alright with such behaviors and think that the cruelties that happened during the war were unnecessary and insensitive (impoliteness and selfishness in Japan is GREATLY frowned upon). Most Japanese people have no qualms with Koreans and see it as a loss for both countries in their that the worship and review of the apology only weakens the chance of a strong friendship from grasp and is unneeded.

At this situation's core, for these countries, it's the principle of the thing that is the concern. It's hard for a foreigner to understand unless you've talked, directly, too both sides about the issue. I know I didn't until I did my research and spoke to people from both spectrums.

I believe if a peace could occur between the two countries, they, together, could EASILY rule the electronic market of the world by increasing collaboration between each other.

Strangely, as a side note, tourism between the countries is actually quite good. The Koreans to Japan for the scenery and fantastic amusement parks (they really like Disney), and the Japanese to Korea for the shopping and the awesome food (and K-Pop). Anime is also popular in Korea as is K-Dramas are in Japan.

I apologize for the lengthy response.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Ashlee,

Are you sure that you are not mixing up WWII, the Korean War, comfort women issue, the annexation of Korea by Japan all together? Or are you saying that typical Koreans mix these up? FYI Korea has never been in any war against Japan. So most Koreans want a genuine apology for which issue?

7 ( +8 / -1 )

titaniumdioxide: "As long as Park is the president nothing will happen. She was the daughter of a pro-Japanese imperial army. What she's been doing is acting stubborn and childish trying to portray that she's different from her father"

What's amusing about this and the rest of your rant against SK, as usual, is that you can subtitute the name "Park" with "Abe" and "father" with "grandfather", and of course gender pronouns, and you'd have exactly the same argument. In other words, BOTH nations' governments are acting childish, and so long as Park and Abe are in power none of that will change. The big difference is, of course, SK is responding to insincere apologies, revision of history by the J-government, unwillingness to admit the past (but a willingness to push their version), lack of atonement for past aggression, and insulsts such as visiting Yasukuni. SK is reacting, not instigating, save perhaps on their insistence that the islands in dispute are Dokdo and SK's sovereign territory. So leave the hate at the door, my friend, and try to understand that BOTH governments need to make HONEST efforts.

In any case, not sure Mori is the best person to send on behalf of Japan -- his record of gaffes and alienting elements of society even among Japanese people is pretty terrible. But I guess so long as they avoid contentious issues and stick to business, something Park is unlikely to follow, there could be some grounds made economically.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

If South Korean President Park Geun-hye refused to PM Abe proposal and then PM Abe should forget about relationship between JP Government and S. Korea Government. She won't be stay in power forever. The most important thing is good relationship between majority peoples of Japan and S. Korean. Relationship between two Governments is always tricky and dirty.

Obviously, Park GEun-hye is playing her domestic politic with Japan past history for to cover up dark part of her family past and to gain her popularity. However, some of S. Koreans still can not forget and forgive her father dictatorship regime. Her father ordered KCIA to kidnapped and killed to his rival future President Kim Dae-jung from hotel in Tokyo. Some say, she wanted to change history of her family past and her father image as dictatorship, former Japanese military officer and Japanese puppet. So she adopted hard-line stance toward Japanese Government. She wants S. Korean peoples to see her as Anti-Japanese. I believe it’s true.

I think Japanese Government should pass Park Geun-hye’s presidency and wait next S. Korean President for honest and sincere relationship between two countries.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

South Korea has little to gain by siding with japan against China. I'm glad they're playing both sides because they know their country will lose in a war as will the other countries though they don't seem to know this.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

I believe that face-to-face talking fix two countries' tie. a few months ago, though they saw directly, we clearly see their bad ties. but this time, we can see their smile and talking peacefully. needless to say, this tie cannot get fixed by only this direct meeting, but this is a kind of trigger of better relationship with their neibors. btw I wonder the role of Mr. Mori can act so aggressively. is he just one of politician? I heard that he took up the prime minister's role once, but he has already quited that and he dont undertake much responsible position. another article reported that he has met russian leader before and the leader has a favorable impression on Mr Mori. I wonder if he get remarkable position in the party, they can make more progress in some field.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

What's left out in the clueless western media (or simply they don't have a clue hence this article) is that Abe's position is that his door is always open for dialogue while instructing his personnel that he will not entertain ANY prerequisites which in Pak case would be to address the comfort women issue and for Xi, it would be to admit the Senkaku as a dispute. In case of Pak, she vowed not to meet Abe unless her request was met. Sorry Ms. Takagi. It ain't happening.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

Abe seeks summit with S Korea's Park

This has Liberal Obama written all over it. Personally I like the hardball Conservative Obama rather than the Liberal one. At least the hardball Conservative Obama makes fanatics fear his drones.

The only way Park will agree to any meeting with Abe is if Abe agrees to do away with the 1965 treaty and pay the compensation that South Korea promised that they were going to, but never did.

But, the joke would be on Abe if he did, because seconds after Abe and Japan paid the Billions upon billions of Won South Korea owes it's people Park would demand that Japan pay for the Communist Giant Reunification Carrot Trap part II.

The sooner Japan and the US understand that South Korea is no longer an ally the better off Japan and the US will be.

South Korea is now firmly in Communist China's pocket and like the North will jump when commanded to. That's why ever time Communist China and Emperor Xi make some insane WWII comments South Korea is right behind supporting them.

It's pre-1895 all over again.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Hope they will talk together and both countries become friends. Then both countries will be able to talk together without meddler Obama or Xi, More economic and trade growth for two neighbors.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

She acts like a little girl. As long as she's president nothing will happen. Nevertheless, i applaud Abe's effort and Korea should know that it is in THEIR interests to have a better relationship with Japan. If politicians like her continue such anti-japanese sentiment, i really hope it bites her in the ass when Korea needs Japan's help in a military conflict of some sort.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

So long as Abe remains in power, it will be fruitless to talk to him. On one hand he extends an olive branch but his entire body speaks otherwise. Japan has lost 2 years economically because of his actions but he couldn't care less. Now that the US has really too much in her sleeves, Abe knows that he has to appear conciliatory. Even then he doesn't sound sincere. Let this go on for another year and see what happens!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I am very disappointed by the choice of letter handers...Certainly there are bright minds out their than...Mori??

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@bruinfanSEP. 21, 2014 - 06:19PM JST I am very disappointed by the choice of letter handers...Certainly there are bright minds out their than...Mori??

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Mori was satrange acting PM but his formetr position of PM shows Japan is sincere to talk. I don't think low level dsiplomat traine will work. Abe is showing he rmeant to talk. Head to head talk. This is what I think but maybe you have better oerson than former PM in your mind. Write your candidate. Not dead person but someone wtill alive.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

How about a clever and talented woman...Sorry I need to study up on the names...but they are out there.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@bruinfan: How about a clever and talented woman..

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Best idea since men politicians have past goofing accumulated.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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