ED Improving Japan ties

Kang’s visit reaffirms resolve for future-oriented relations

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha made her first visit to Japan since taking office in June, Tuesday. This is the first time for a Korean foreign minister to visit Japan since her predecessor Yun Byung-se did so in August 2016.

Kang’s visit reflects President Moon Jae-in’s resolve to improve bilateral relations that were strained during the previous Park Geun-hye administration. The two countries have had different positions on the 2015 Korea-Japan deal about the issue of the so-called comfort women reached between Park and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

President Moon has pledged to re-examine the deal and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a task force to investigate the accord, which Japan claims is a “final and irreversible” agreement on compensating victims of sexual slavery by Japanese troops before and during World War II. Many Koreans and the victims, however, have been strongly opposed to the deal. Based on the agreement, Tokyo provided 1 billion yen ($8.7 million) for a foundation to help the victims. The victims and civic groups have claimed it was not enough in acknowledging government responsibility for the sexual slavery. Japan has urged Korea to deliver on its side of the deal.

One of the biggest reasons for the victims’ protest of the accord was that their positions were excluded. Unlike her predecessor, Kang has shown keen attention to listening to the victims. During her confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, she wore a badge offered to her during a previous visit with the surviving comfort women. In October, she visited a facility for the victims and explained to them about the activities of the task force.

The ministry is expected to announce the results of its investigation into the procedures leading to the 2015 deal, which marks its second anniversary on Dec. 28. During the presidential campaign, Moon had vowed to seek an agreement that could be accepted by the people. But a diplomatic deal should be respected regardless of the change of power. Japan cannot be blamed entirely for the deal because former President Park and the foreign ministry rushed the agreement without properly paying attention to public sentiment and did not proceed with the deal in a transparent manner.

It is in our national interest to maintain good relations with Japan as close cooperation with the country in dealing with North Korea’s nuclear and missile development programs is vital. During her first visit to Japan, Kang should make it clear that Korea will keep up a two-track diplomacy with Japan by keeping historical issues separate from promoting economic and security cooperation.