[Column] Expectation to Tanaka, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs

Recently, Korean people’s expectation and request of Korea-Japan relationship has moved on the concerns of the national dignity and justification beyond the problem of Japanese textbook distortion. It seems clear that both ruling and opposition lawmakers unanimously criticized, in the past Parliamentary investigation, that the Korean Embassy in Japan had failed to properly respond to the problem of Japanese distortion of its history textbook. While the government has propagated that it would `respond composedly and carefully concerning national interest,` the rage and anxiety of the people has gained no resolution.

The serious attitude of Koizumi Junichiro, the Prime minister of Japan, shown when he discussed, on the phone, the problem of text distortion with President Kim Dae-jung, might be based on his conclusion that `New Korea-Japan relationship in the 21st century` should not be ruined.

However, it could be end up with a diplomatic rhetoric, seeing that right after Japanese king or Prime minister announced their `severe regret and apology from the bottom of heart,` right-wings of Japanese politicians persisted Japanese dominion over Dok-do and distorted their past war crimes.

Makiko Tanaka, the Japanese foreign minister, criticized those who try to distort history at a press conference. He explained his position on this matter by introducing an episode about a Korean family of Lee, Su-hyun who died while he was trying to rescue a drunker fallen down to the rail of Tokyo subway. He also acclaimed the manly attitude of Korean diplomats he has met. However, he said `it takes time` to resolve this problem, avoiding an utterance about any rush correction. He added that this is `a problem of generation` and a problem of not only Japan but also Korea and China.

In addition, the prime minister said that he would solve this problem before the Korea-Japan relationship is getting worse. However, with respect to the past experience, it is hardly trustful. Responding to the point that lots of Korea-Japan exchange programs had been canceled because of the matter of text distortion, the prime minister Tanaka commented, `I will try for soft-landing of this kind of problem without delaying.` His comments seem to be made to soften Korean people’s rage in no time. However, without providing concrete plans, it can’t be quite different from a diplomatic rhetoric.

The Liberal Democratic Party in Japan has recently been rushed to its ultranationalism by appointing all its big three from right wings who had firmly stood on orthodox conservatism. In the future, if Japanese cabinet continues the domestic and foreign policies based on the favorites of Japanese people, it will lead to an irreversible consequence and Korean diplomatic relationship with Japan will meet a serious crisis.

The leader required particularly in Japan is the one who has just historical consciousness and harmonious sense of international affairs. Tanaka has to show concrete plans as soon as possible if he really wants to heal the hurts of the feeling of its neighbors. It is because, not with diplomatic rhetoric, but only with sincere apology and confession of its crimes in the past, a good and friendly relationship can possibly be built.

Yu Byong-yong ( Professor of The Academy of Korean Studies, Korean politics)