Tug of war continues over Korea-Japan summit

A tentative Korea-Japan summit is planned in next week, but the two parties are playing a tug of war on the exact schedule. The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said that it proposed a summit on Nov. 2, but Japanese Chief Cabinet Spokesman Yoshihide Suga said that he was unaware of such a suggestion. Both Seoul and Japan seem to be acting unusually, Seoul by unprecedentedly announcing a bilateral meeting unilaterally, and Japan by turning a deaf ear to a press release on the summit.

A meeting between South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be an opportunity to melt down the recently frozen relationship between the two neighbors, especially as the Korea-China-Japan trilateral summit is scheduled for the first time in three years. Korea has called for a future-oriented attitude from Japan on the wartime sexual slavery issue. However, Suga responded by saying "Our status toward the issue has not changed" on Monday, putting Korea at an awkward situation. Later, Tokyo belatedly suggested a luncheon or a dinner, but Seoul has yet given any confirmation.

There are many pressing issues between the two nations other than the one regarding comfort women. First, an explanation is needed from Abe about his comments that Japanese Self-Defense Forces can enter North Korean territory without consent from South Korea after the enactment of the new security law. Japan should also join the efforts of Korea and the U.S. to address North Korea`s nuclear issue, as a member of the six-party talks. The U.S. has also called for discussions on restoring the three-way coordination. Above all, citizens of both nations are longing for reconciliation. At a meeting of business leaders hosted in Tokyo on Monday, participants said that stable political and diplomatic relations are crucial for economic cooperation between Korea and Japan.

The leadership must welcome this dialogue opportunity with open minds. Abe should show a more mature attitude towards the comfort women issue, if he is committed to making the long-awaited talks a breakthrough for making up with Korea. On the other hand, President Park should host Mr. Abe with exceptional respect, at least on a par with the level of protocol for Chinese premier Li Keqiang. Just by showing the two leaders exchanging words over a luncheon or a dinner will make a big difference. If Abe fails to show sincerity even after receiving a great welcome from Park, the blame will be on him.