Japanese envoy seeks positive future for bilateral, regional ties
Koro Bessho Japanese ambassador
By Kim Se-jeong
The recently appointed ambassador to Korea from Japan highlighted the two nation’s ties in the context of the future of northeast Asia during an address made last Tuesday at the Asia Society Korea Center in Seoul.
“It’s important that we develop multilateral relations including China ― we have a trilateral system that includes Korea and Japan. We have ASEAN+3. We have the East Asia summit ― all these provide us with a foundation to build a multilayered relationship of cooperation for economic international integration,” he said, stressing mutual understanding as the foundation on which to resolve long-standing political problems such as the territorial dispute over the Dokdo Islets and the issue of sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War 2.
“In that framework, Japan and Korea are important partners,” he added.
The talk given by Ambassador Koro Bessho was billed as the “Future of Japan and Korea Relations” and was the first of a series of such lectures to be hosted by the society.
“Korea and Japan are members of the G20, the OECD ― they share fundamental values,” the ambassador continued, emphasizing common ground between Seoul and Tokyo.
Bessho also called on Seoul to find the political will for a swift conclusion to negotiations on the Korea-Japan Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
“The FTA would provide the legal framework for industries in both countries to cooperate more.” Talks with Japan on the FTA halted in 2004. However, hopes are high that they will resume, especially in Tokyo, after Korean President-elect Park Geun-hye is inaugurated in February.
As well as the political avenues open between the two countries, Ambassador Bessho spoke of the significant role Korean popular culture plays in building relations.
“One can’t underestimate the impact of Korean dramas,” he said talking how such TV shows create positive perceptions of Korea among the Japanese.
Referring to actor Bae Yong-joon, known as Yonsama in the neighboring nation, he said his residence in Samcheong-dong, opposite the Japanese embassy, has become an essential place to visit for thousands of female Japanese tourists.
“They’re not there to look at my residence,” but to look at Yonsama’s residence, and the ambassador is sometimes asked to take pictures,” he joked.