70 Years of Korea-Japan Relations: A History of Conflict and Cooperation
Overview
Sixty years after the 1965 normalization of diplomatic relations, Korea and Japan have repeated cycles of cooperation and conflict. From strategic cooperation during the Cold War, to historical disputes after democratization, to the roller coaster of the 21st century—Korea-Japan relations are a microcosm of East Asian international politics.
This article organizes the 70-year history of Korea-Japan relations by period and analyzes the key factors driving bilateral relations from a state-building perspective.
Historical Background: Why 1965?
The Legacy of Colonial Rule
After liberation in 1945, there were no official diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan. During the Rhee Syngman government (1948-1960) and Yoshida Shigeru cabinet (1948-1954), both countries harbored mutual antagonism.
- Korea: Memories of colonial rule were vivid, with strong demands for compensation from Japan
- Japan: Views of Korea as “underdeveloped” persisted, with reluctance toward compensation
Both countries depended on the United States for security and economy, yet direct normalization did not occur.
The Background of 1965 Normalization
Korea-Japan normalization stemmed from shared strategic and economic needs.
Korean Factors:
- Park Chung-hee government’s need for economic development funds
- Strengthening anti-communist alliance
- US pressure
Japanese Factors:
- Expanding Asian markets
- Building anti-communist front
- US demands for strengthened alliance network
In June 1965, both countries signed the Korea-Japan Basic Treaty. Japan provided $800 million (300 million in grants, 200 million in loans, 300 million in private credit), and Korea relinquished claims against Japan.
The Era of Cooperation: 1965-1979
The Era of Personal Bonds
Strong personal ties existed between President Park Chung-hee and Japanese leaders.
Key Relationships:
- Park Chung-hee – Kishi Nobusuke (1957-60): Connection from Manchukuo days
- Park Chung-hee – Sato Eisaku (1964-72): Kishi’s brother, signed Korea-Japan Treaty
- Park Chung-hee – Tanaka Kakuei (1972-74): Strengthened economic cooperation
The characteristic of Korea-Japan relations during this period was direct communication between leaders. Historical issues were an area governments could “manage,” and civil society voices were limited.
The Foundation of Strategic Cooperation
During the Cold War, both countries cooperated under the common goal of anti-communism.
- 1950-53: Korean War (Japan served as logistics base)
- 1965-73: Vietnam War (both Korea and Japan participated/supported as US allies)
- 1969: Strengthened Korea-US-Japan security cooperation after Nixon Doctrine
Economically, Japanese capital and technology played a decisive role in Korea’s industrialization.
The Return of History: 1980-1998
Textbook Controversy and the Rise of Historical Issues
In 1982, when it was revealed that Japan’s Ministry of Education had changed “invasion” to “advance” in textbook reviews, fierce protests erupted in Korea and China.
This was the first occasion when historical issues emerged as a core agenda in Korea-Japan relations.
Democratization and Civil Society Voices
After Korea’s democratization in 1987, civil society voices on historical issues grew louder.
Major Events of the 1990s:
- 1991: Comfort woman Kim Hak-sun’s testimony
- 1992: Comfort women issue raised at UN Human Rights Commission
- 1993: Kono Statement (Japanese government acknowledgment of coercion)
- 1995: Murayama Statement (apology for colonial rule)
From this period, Korea-Japan relations could no longer be defined solely by government-to-government relations. Victims, civic groups, and public opinion emerged as important actors.
The Kim Dae-jung – Obuchi Declaration (1998)
In October 1998, President Kim Dae-jung and Prime Minister Obuchi Keizo announced the “Japan-Republic of Korea Joint Declaration: A New Japan-Republic of Korea Partnership towards the Twenty-first Century.”
Key Points:
- Japan: “Deep remorse and heartfelt apology” for colonial rule
- Korea: Building future-oriented relations while facing the past
- Both: Expanding cultural exchange, strengthening economic cooperation
This declaration was evaluated as a new starting point for Korea-Japan relations. However, its spirit gradually faded with subsequent regime changes.
The Roller Coaster: Since 2000
Conflict During the Koizumi Era (2001-2006)
Korea-Japan relations cooled again due to Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro’s Yasukuni Shrine visits.
- Roh Moo-hyun government: Emphasized historical issues in Japan diplomacy
- Shuttle diplomacy suspended, summit meeting gaps
The Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye Era (2008-2017)
While the early Lee Myung-bak government attempted to improve relations, his visit to Dokdo in 2012 caused a rapid freeze.
The Park Geun-hye government achieved the 2015 comfort women agreement but faced domestic criticism.
The Moon-Abe Era Collision (2017-2022)
After the Moon Jae-in government took office in 2017, Korea-Japan relations reached their nadir.
- 2018: Supreme Court forced labor ruling
- 2019: Japan’s export controls, GSOMIA conflict
- Public sentiment in both countries at worst
Yoon-Kishida Reconciliation (2022-2024)
In 2022, the Yoon Suk-yeol government presented a solution to the forced labor issue and moved toward improving relations. The 2023 Camp David Korea-US-Japan summit was the apex of cooperation.
However, both countries experienced political upheaval in 2024, making the future of relations uncertain again.
Analysis from a State-Building Perspective
Changes in the Four Key Actors
Political Leadership:
- 1960-70s: Summit diplomacy based on personal bonds
- Post-1980s: Foreign policy subordinated to domestic politics
Bureaucratic Apparatus:
- Reduced role of foreign ministries, domestic political logic prioritized
Social Forces:
- Post-democratization: Increased influence of civil society, victim groups, public opinion
- Deepening “impossibility of compromise” on historical issues
Foreign Powers (US):
- Urging Korea-Japan cooperation, but limited intervention on historical issues
The Structure of Cooperation and Conflict
Korea-Japan relations exist within a dual structure.
Factors for Cooperation:
- Joint response to North Korean threat
- Economic interdependence
- US alliance network
Factors for Conflict:
- Unresolved historical issues
- Nationalist mobilization in domestic politics
- Territorial dispute (Dokdo/Takeshima)
Contemporary Implications
Does History Repeat Itself?
The 70-year history of Korea-Japan relations shows repetition of the same patterns.
1. Cooperation attempts driven by strategic necessity
2. Conflict recurrence due to historical issues
3. Rapid relationship changes following domestic political shifts
For Sustainable Relations
For genuine reconciliation:
- Separate management of historical issues: Parallel pursuit of history and security/economic cooperation
- Expanded civil society exchange: Civilian cooperation not subordinated to government relations
- Institutionalized cooperation mechanisms: Cooperation structures that don’t waver with regime changes
How will the next 70 years of Korea-Japan relations be written? That depends on the choices of both nations’ citizens and leaders.
📚 Recommended Reading
- Park Cheol-hee, “History and Present of Korea-Japan Relations”
- Kimiya Tadashi, “History of Korea-Japan Relations”
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Korea-Japan Relations Archives