Korea and Japan are Moving Closer Together: Japanese Ambassador

-President Lee Myung-bak visits Japan in April. What is Japan’s take on his visit and what are the key agendas?

“President Lee’s visit to Japan is very important. It must be successful if the two countries are to move toward a new forward-looking bilateral relationship. The leaders of both countries agreed to resume shuttle diplomacy at their summit on Feb. 25. They agreed to open a new chapter by strengthening bilateral cooperation and contributing to the international community. At their upcoming summit, the two leaders will discuss specific ways to enhance exchanges and cooperation between the two countries on various global issues, including North Korea. In addition, they will exchange views on a free trade agreement between Japan and Korea and how to realize discussions on economic cooperation.”

-Korea-Japan shuttle diplomacy has resumed but this is only means to an end. Some argue Korea-Japan FTA negotiations should be held again as a symbolic gesture to open a new era between the two countries.

“There are various perspectives on why negotiations stopped. What is important is how to resume talks on a Japan-Korea EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement). In Japan, EPA is used instead of FTA. Japan’s EPA embraces more than just economic cooperation. Japan-Korea FTA will contribute to the enhancement of bilateral ties and greater economic cooperation in East Asia. More importantly, a third country will greatly help Korea and Japan pursue economic cooperation. Japan wants to review the resumption of negotiations as soon as possible.”

-As for North Korea, Japan thinks the abduction of Japanese by the North is very important.

“Tokyo has tried to denuclearize the North and resolve the abduction issue consistently. At the same time, it made its utmost efforts to normalize relations between Japan and North Korea by coming to terms with the tragic past. As these matters should be resolved with international cooperation, I think that the six-party talks are an important process. Japan has been working with related countries, including South Korea and the United States, and it will continue to do so. Japan hopes that Japan-North Korea relations can advance to solve the abduction issue.

- President Lee Myung-bak will be invited to the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in July. What will his role be?

“This year, Africa development and climate change as well as global economy will be on the agenda. As an important economic powerhouse, I think Korea should cooperate with other countries to deal with global issues. Without cooperation, we won’t be able to solve problems. Based on this view, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will invite President Lee as he is expected to attend the meeting on climate change. I’m expecting those discussions to be good.”

-The global economy is in trouble. How can both countries overcome this challenge?

“With soaring oil prices and the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis, uncertainty is increasing. At times like these, international cooperation is important. I think the days are gone when Japan and Korea thought only about themselves. The next few months are critical. I am glad to hear that our two governments are working together on several levels.”

-Both President Lee and Prime Minister Fukuda talk about forward-looking bilateral relations. To achieve this desirable relationship, cooperation on the civilian level as well as on the government level seems important.

“We should move forward by learning from the past’s historical truths. First, we should build cooperative relationships that work for the benefit of both countries. Second, we need to increase mutual understanding and cooperative relations at the national level. It is important to encourage exchanges among young people and students between the two countries. Since a long time ago, Japan and Korea have often been described as countries that are “close but far.” I want to make our countries “close and close.” I think both countries have already been moving in that direction.”

- Cultural exchanges such as Hallyu (Korean cultural wave) and Illyu (Japanese cultural wave) have been driving bilateral relations since 1990. There is no turning back in cultural exchanges. As an ambassador, do you have any idea on how accelerate this trend?

“I agree. Now the power of culture is more important than the power of the state. Cultural understanding and exchanges have become an essential part of exchanges between nations. Japan planned to invite 1,000 Korean adolescents each year starting last year, and the first group came to Japan this January. We will consider expanding this working holiday system. Exchanges between local governments are critical, as well. Now, exchanges are pretty robust. Korean airplanes fly to 26 airports in Japan. There are as many as 128 sister cities. Last year, as many as five million people moved back and forth between the two countries.”

Though an ambassador appears to be accommodating, he needs to walk the fine line between his native country and the country in which he is serving. The Japanese ambassador to Korea is certainly no exception. However competent he might be, he cannot do anything when he is involved in an unexpected accident caused by ‘unique relations’ of the two countries. Near the end of the interview, Ambassador Toshinori Shigeie said, “Please write as little as possible.” I can understand his agony as Japan’s ambassador to Korea.

jkmas@donga.com