What has clearly changed due to the Japan - Korea issue - It is the Japanese sentiment toward Korea and the perception of Korea - It is not easy to overturn this.
2022-04-27
Category:South Korea
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What is clearly different before and after the Moon Jae-in administration
What kind of Japan-Korea relations will the new South Korean government build in the future? Since it is the administration after the Moon Jae-in administration, we must see a completely different point from other administrations. It is different from the Kim Dae Jung administration and the Park Geun-hye administration. The biggest difference is the Japanese national sentiment. Since the 1998 Japan-Korea Joint Declaration, the Japan-Korea World Cup has been held, and the Japanese have supported the success of this soccer tournament. What was introduced in Japan during this period was Korea with a good image. It is a Korean drama and K-POP. Of course, this is a creative and fictional world of entertainment, but many Korean fans were born in Japan, and this played a role of friendship between Japan and South Korea to a certain extent. However, what Moon Jae-in revealed was the exact opposite of South Korea, which is completely different from these. It is the earnest desire of the Korean people to pray for the destruction of Japan.
What is clearly different before and after the Moon Jae-in administration
The setting of the target point to return to the 1998 Japan-Korea Joint Declaration set by President-elect Yoon Seok-you should be evaluated to a certain extent. With the joint declaration of Keizo Obuchi and Kim Dae Jung, Japan-South Korea relations should have taken a normal direction. Then why couldn't we walk that way? This is an issue. In other words, Japan moved forward in line with the declaration, but South Korea retreated. Why is this? We have to think about this problem right now. If this is misunderstood, future negotiations between Japan and South Korea will not proceed well. On the contrary, not only the Korean government but also the Kishida administration will be blown away in an instant. China will be staring at it.
The improvement mood does not improve
History must probably repeat itself if the core issues disappear as a result of the long-lasting stress of the change of government from the left-wing South Korean government. It should be back in 1965, or maybe 100 years ago. At least in 1965, Japan and South Korea solved the problem comprehensively in the efforts of both countries. Japan and South Korea have reached an agreement for the future in Asia, which is suffering from postwar reconstruction that is incomparably difficult due to the current friction between Japan and South Korea.
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[South Korea] If you have the world's highest household debt, you don't have enough disposable income - If you don't spend money, it's just bad manners.
Private/government debt 254%
Household debt is 104.2% of GDP
Global trend of interest rate hikes
Mortgage reduces disposable income
A traveler who just has bad manners
In a statement distributed in advance of the conference, Professor Ham Joon-ho of Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies, who served as a member of the Bank of Korea's Financial and Monetary Committee, stated, ``Korea's macro leverage (private and government debt) level has expanded to 254% of GDP. ” he pointed out.
The household debt balance has continued to expand for 16 years, reaching a record high of 1,850.9 trillion won (approximately 176.9871 trillion yen) in the April-June 2021 period. According to a study by the Institute of International Finance (IIF), Japan's GDP ratio was 104.2%, the highest among 37 major countries and regions. Incidentally, the countries other than South Korea are followed by Hong Kong (92.0%), the UK (89.4%), and the US (79.2%).
On the 15th, the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), the central bank of the United States, announced the first major interest rate hike in about 30 years. The policy rate will be raised by 0.75% to a range of 1.50 to 1.75%.
Prior to this, South Korea announced that it would raise its policy interest rate from 1.5% to 1.75% in May. The rate was set at 1.5% in April, making this the second consecutive month of interest rate hikes. This will also be a severe blow to those who are burdened with household debt.
South Korea's per capita GDP is approaching that of Japan. According to the 2021 IMF announcement, Japan's price is $39,340 and South Korea's price is $34,801. However, Japan's household debt is around 66-7%.
Housing loans are the largest component of household debt. The skyrocketing price of land in Seoul continues to skyrocket, forcing many to borrow large sums of money to purchase apartments. As a result, even if GDP and wages rise, most of the money goes toward repaying household debts, resulting in less disposable income. I don't have any money to spend.
Even after salaries are paid, the money goes straight through the tunnel and is returned to financial institutions, where it is returned to the market. This is the reality of GDP per capita in the Korean economy.
As the coronavirus pandemic begins to subside and overseas travel is gradually lifted, travel to Japan is expected to become a boom again in South Korea. It's not that they like Japan. The above reasons are largely responsible for why Japan is chosen as a nearby travel destination.
And just because you come to Japan doesn't mean you have to spend money. There are quite a few groups that find faults, point them out, and complain to each other. It is said that Korean tourists just have bad manners.
What are your expectations for President Yun Seok-yue? Twisted National Assembly is a thorny road - Should Japan approve or wait and see? - South Korea's general election will be held in 2024.
Positive theory of Japan-Korea relations and wait-and-see theory
Remains twisted until 2024
Will true speech be freed under the new administration
Korean society will be denounced if it affirms Japanese rule
A country where there is no freedom of speech about history
Looking at Japanese public opinion regarding the prospects for Japan-Korea relations since the inauguration of the Yun Seok-Yeol administration, there are some positive views toward improving relations and a wait-and-see view seen mainly on the right. As always, the affirmative opinion has no concrete content, and since the other party is asking for an improvement in the relationship, things will probably get better. It's just a matter of trying to get along because we're neighboring countries.
The wait-and-see theory is based on the points of the Korean unified local elections in June and the national election in 2024, and that the Democratic Party (a pro-China, anti-Japanese party) holds the majority of the Korean National Assembly.Twisted stateTherefore, unless the ruling party wins the power of the people in the 2024 general election, no bill will be passed, so nothing can be done. Until then, Japan should do nothing and wait and see.
The least I can say is that I don't expect Japan-Korea relations to deteriorate any further during the next five years of the next administration. Personally, I think that if things don't get any worse, there's no need for them to get any better. In other words, there is a necessary distance between Japan and South Korea. This may be the best distance relationship.
In the long run, it would be most effective if the speech of pro-Japanese groups was liberated, rather than if the anti-Japanese movement subsided on the surface. In addition to those who prefer Japanese culture in South Korea, pro-Japanese speech is another form of speech that has been suppressed regarding the annexation of Japan and South Korea and Japan's support for South Korea after the war. Japan has no choice but to wait for South Korea to change, but there is no sign of that happening at all. The appearance of calm on the surface is only a temporary phenomenon. The root of Japan-Korea relations lies within South Korea, where freedom of speech is not recognized regarding the past history of Japan and South Korea. It is impossible to publicly state the fact that the Korean Peninsula modernized under Japanese rule.
Under Japanese rule, slaves, who accounted for half of the population, were liberated, the class system was abolished, a school education system was established, food self-sufficiency increased, starvation deaths decreased sharply, sanitary conditions improved, and cholera and typhoid fever were reduced. The number of deaths due to such things has decreased dramatically. These are facts that do not exist in Korea.
In South Korea's historical perspective, those who affirmed Japanese rule were expelled from academia in order to make the history of being enslaved and violated by Japan into a fact. He was also expelled from politics and government, and media outlets were also blocked. This is an unobjective view of history that only accepts one opinion, and is not academic in the first place. At the root of Japan-Korea relations is this unilaterally created view of history and the education of history based on that view. Unless this changes, we can see that even if the government continues to work together as it has done in the past, it will crumble like a sandcastle. This is exactly what history has proven.
In other words, improving Japan-Korea relations means that South Korea itself will gain academic and speech freedom, that scholars who support Japanese rule will return to academia, that they will return to politics, and that South Korea will become a democratic country where people can have free discussions. . Without this, anti-Japanese education will never disappear. This is an issue that requires the process of South Korea maturing as a democratic country, so it will take a very long time. Therefore, Japan should continue to keep its distance and not approach them easily.
If we look at the past, we are skeptical that politics will improve Japan-Korea relations. This problem is that academic and freedom of speech have not been secured in South Korea in the history of Japan and South Korea.
South Korean delegation insists on 'efforts from both countries' - Japan is fulfilling all its promises - South Korea is the one who is not making enough efforts
South Korea says efforts from both Japan and South Korea are necessary
Intentions of both countries passing each other
What is the destination that Korea envisions?
If we misunderstand the Korean issue, the government will tilt
Japan has already apologized many times
Japan fulfills all commitments
What does the effort of both countries mean?
While the recent South Korean delegation's visit to Japan has been reported as if the two countries have once again returned to the direction of improving Japan-Korea relations, the response of the Japanese government, including the prime minister, has been criticized. The South Korean side is keen to improve Japan-Korea relations, and as a result, interviews with the current prime minister, former prime minister, and other ministers were held. The most important point is that a gap that cannot be filled has been identified.
The rift is that while Japan is demanding that South Korea "fulfill its commitments," South Korea has consistently stated that "efforts from both sides are needed." This means that South Korea will not make unilateral concessions. More specifically, before the presidential election, President-elect Yoon Seok-Yeol met with Lee Yong-soo, a self-proclaimed representative of former comfort women, and said, ``We must demand an apology from Japan.'' has promised that he will receive it. That's probably what he's saying.
What kind of efforts does South Korea want from Japan? For example, is the Japanese Prime Minister going to South Korea, meeting with former comfort women, apologizing, and reporting the moving scene as an attempt to settle the matter? However, if South Korea's next government does not understand that this is an unlikely future, improving relations seems a long way off.
If Prime Minister Kishida were to do something like that, the Kishida administration would surely collapse, and even in this meeting with the parliamentary group, there are voices calling for Kishida to be removed from the position of prime minister. There are even voices saying that they will not vote for the Liberal Democratic Party in the next House of Councilors election. Reasons for this include the forced labor judgment and the abrogation of the Japan-Korea comfort women agreement.
Regarding the South Korean delegation's visit to Japan, since it was a group of parliamentarians before the inauguration of the new South Korean government, there were many opinions that Japan should also conduct the visit within the framework of parliamentary exchanges and that the government should not deal with it.
The comfort women agreement states, ``This is an issue that has deeply damaged the honor and dignity of many women, and from this perspective, the Japanese government is acutely aware of its responsibility.'' I would like to express my heartfelt apologies and remorse to the people of... Yun Seok-Yeol seems to think that since he has expressed his apology, it would be okay to apologize face-to-face. However, the agreement states, ``As the Japanese government declares the above and steadily implements the measures in (2) above (establishment of a foundation), this announcement will ensure that this issue will be finalized and irreversible.'' to make sure it is resolved."
The 1965 Claims Agreement, including the issue of forced labor, was already resolved. Japan is simply asking South Korea to faithfully implement these agreements. Japan has fulfilled all of its responsibilities, so all that remains is for South Korea to fulfill its own responsibilities. In other words, it is no longer an issue for both countries to make efforts.
Jeong Jin-seok, head of the South Korean delegation, claps his hands together and says that only by joining hands like this can relations be improved. Hearing these words, I can't help but think that South Korea's next new government may not even understand what the current situation is. This is because the efforts of these two countries resulted in the Claims Agreement in 1965, the Japan-South Korea Joint Declaration in 1998, and the Comfort Women Agreement in 2015, which is exactly the kind of hand-to-hand situation that Chung described. It is South Korea that unilaterally abolished these . Japan must not take a step back from this line.
If we look at Japan-South Korea relations after the restoration of diplomatic relations, South Korea has completely torn up all previous agreements. Is the next agreement really necessary?
[Korea] Yoon Seok - you's inauguration speech to democracy and liberalism [full text]
Respected and dear people,
7.5 million overseas compatriots,
And to all the world citizens who love freedom
I am here today with an epoch-making vocation that must rebuild this country as a country where the people are the true masters on the basis of liberal democracy and the market economy system, and make it a country that plays a role and responsibility in the international community. I stood up.
We would like to thank all the people who have been with us in the historical setting.
Tora Wen, Former President Park Megumi, President Jacob of Singapore, President of the Central African Republic of Tuadera, Vice President of China Wang Qishan, Former President of Indonesia Megawati, Vice President Harris Emhoff Harris, Senator George Fury of Canada, We would like to express our deep gratitude to Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and other congratulatory missions from around the world and to all the guests from Japan and abroad.
We would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the people who have endured great pain in the process of overcoming the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection for the past two years.
We would also like to thank all the medical staff for their dedication.
Respected people,
World citizens
Now, the whole world is one country alone or only a few countries participating, such as the pandemic crisis, changes in trade order and restructuring of supply networks, climate change, food and energy crisis, and retreat of peaceful resolution of conflicts. Faced with difficult challenges.
Various crises cast a complex shadow on human society.
In addition, many countries, including South Korea, are swaying and breaking down the cohesiveness of their communities due to ultra-low growth, large-scale unemployment, deepening polarization and diverse social conflicts.
On the other hand, politics that must solve such problems are failing to function due to the so-called democratic crisis.
Anti-intellectualism is cited as the biggest cause.
Science and truth must be a prerequisite for people with different views to coordinate and compromise with each other.
That is rationalism and intellectualism that support democracy.
Excessive collective conflict between nations and within nations distorts the truth, and anti-intellectualism, which selects only the facts that each person wants to see and hear and suppresses the opinions of others with a large number of forces, puts democracy in jeopardy and democracy. It undermines trust in the principle.
This situation makes it even more difficult to solve the problems we are facing.
But we can.
Looking back on history, the Korean people are on the verge of many crises, but each time they have worked together to overcome them wisely and courageously.
At this moment, I am grateful to be given the responsibility to overcome such a crisis and I am confident that we can overcome it proudly with our great people.
We also believe that we can work together with the world's citizens to resolve crises and challenges at home and abroad.
Respected people,
World citizens
I think it is very important for us to share universal values ??in order to solve this difficulty.
It is "freedom".
We must recognize the value of freedom correctly and accurately.
We must rediscover the value of freedom.
Looking back on the history of mankind, where free political rights and free markets were alive, prosperity and affluence always flourished.
Prosperity, affluence and economic growth are the expansion of freedom.
Freedom is a universal value.
All members of our society must be free citizens.
If the freedom of an individual is left unattended, the freedom of all of us members of the community will be threatened.
Freedom is by no means a winner's monopoly.
To be a free citizen, one must ensure a certain level of economic foundation, fair education and access to culture.
You cannot be a free citizen without this.
If one's freedom is not overrun or the conditions necessary to become a free citizen are not met, all free citizens must help in solidarity.
And if individual liberty is violated not only by individual nations but also internationally by hunger and poverty, illegal acts by public authority and military power, and a dignified life as a free citizen is not maintained, all world citizens will be free citizens. We must work together as a helper.
In order for everyone to be a free citizen, we must obey fair rules and have a spirit of solidarity and philanthropy.
Respected people,
I would like to talk about the direction that I consider important by looking at domestic issues.
In South Korea, excessive polarization and social conflict not only threaten freedom and democracy, but also hinder social development.
I don't think this problem can be solved without a leap and fast growth.
In the process of rapid growth, many people can find new opportunities and improve social mobility to eliminate the source of polarization and conflict.
Leap and fast growth can only be achieved through science, technology and innovation.
Science, technology and innovation protect our liberal democracy, expand our freedom and make our dignified life sustainable.
Science, technology, and innovation are difficult to achieve with the efforts of Japan alone.
By respecting freedom and creativity, we must work and solidarity with many countries that have achieved advances and innovations in science and technology.
Respected people,
World citizens
Liberal democracy creates peace, and peace protects freedom.
And peace is guaranteed by solidarity with the international community, which respects the values ??of freedom and human rights.
We must pursue sustainable peace that blossoms freedom and prosperity, not fragile peace that temporarily avoids war.
Nowhere in the world is free from the threat of freedom and peac
Meeting with South Korean parliamentarians and Foreign Minister Hayashi. Is it meaningful to deal with mere performance diplomacy? An unprecedented response between members of the Diet and government ministers
Foreign Minister Hayashi met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the morning of the 25th with the "policy consultation delegation" sent by South Korean President-elect Yoon Seok-you to Japan. There have been criticisms within the Liberal Democratic Party of having a meeting between a mere parliamentary group that has not yet been established as a government and Japanese government ministers. Since it is unknown whether they are really delegations, will the Foreign Minister visit all of them when a foreign member visits Japan? And since I had an interview with the members of the Diet, there is no reason why Yoon Seok-you would not have an interview after taking office as president.
Interview in a state of violation of international law
Currently, the Japanese government is in a position not to negotiate unless the Korean government corrects the state of violation of international law, and the state of violation of international law has not changed yet. After that, They had a meeting with former Minister of Finance Fukushiro Nukaga of the Liberal Democratic Party and former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Nakagawa of the Constitutional Democratic Party, who are the chairman of the Japan-Korea Parliamentary Union, at a hotel in Tokyo for about an hour and a half. One of the points that should be evaluated is that the Korean parliamentarians should return to the Japan-Korea relations at the time of the 1998 Japan-Korea Joint Declaration. In 1998, it became a joint declaration that embodied the ideal way of exchange between Japan and South Korea from the 1965 Japan-Korea Basic Treaty, such as the opening of Japanese culture in South Korea and the resolution of the problem of fishing rights in Takeshima. Even if it is simply said to improve Japan-South Korea relations, it is commendable that they have discussed them many times and have shown specific target points because the Korean side has destroyed everything for their own convenience. However, even if it returned to the time of the Japan-Korea Joint Declaration, this declaration was virtually invalidated by the National Assembly of South Korea in less than two years. How can we prevent it from being invalidated again even if it returns in 1998? That point is missing.
Do you make another promise with a country that does not keep your promise?
I think that the problem that South Korea does not keep its promise is that the country itself does not have a structure to keep its promise. Even if the president of that era considers the times and makes a promise with Japan through diplomatic immunity, Korean parliamentarians who have an anti-Japanese structure and an anti-Japanese constitution will invalidate them with the power of the legislature. Is the Kishida administration rushing for easy diplomatic achievements as it has no diplomatic achievements so far? Foreign Minister Hayashi is in a good mood playing the piano in the United Kingdom. Will he repeat the Japan-Korea relations that he has repeated over and over again?