Key Takeaways
- Period Covered: 1965 normalization to present day 2025
- Central Question: Why do Korea-Japan relations cycle between conflict and cooperation?
- Perspective: Structural analysis — examining the underlying factors shaping bilateral ties
Korea-Japan relations cannot be explained by simple “good or bad” labels. Understanding 60 years of accumulated conflicts and cooperation requires grasping the structural patterns. This article analyzes the past, present, and future of Korea-Japan relations.
Table of Contents
- 1965: Normalization — Light and Shadow
- Cold War Era: Alliance Amid Tensions
- Post-Cold War: History Problems Emerge
- 2019: The Worst Year
- 2025: The Lee-Takaichi Era
- Future of Korea-Japan Relations
1. 1965: Normalization — Light and Shadow
The Korea-Japan Basic Treaty
On June 22, 1965, the Korea-Japan Basic Treaty was signed. After 14 years of negotiation, the two nations normalized relations.
Key Terms:
- Claims Settlement: Japan provided $500 million ($300M grant, $200M loans)
- Colonial Rule Interpretation: “Already null and void” — left room for different interpretations
- Property Claims: Declared “completely and finally resolved”
Unresolved Issues
However, the treaty left critical problems unaddressed:
- Comfort Women: Not even discussed at the time
- Forced Labor: Debate over individual claims rights
- Dokdo/Takeshima: Only dispute resolution methods specified in exchange notes
📖 Read More: Korea-Japan Relations: 70 Years of Conflict and Cooperation
2. Cold War Era: Alliance Amid Tensions
US Mediation and Korea-Japan Cooperation
During the Cold War, Korea-Japan relations were managed through the American variable. The shared goal of opposing communism suppressed conflicts.
Economic Interdependence
During this period, Korea imported Japanese technology and capital, fueling rapid growth. For Japan, Korea became an important market and production base.
Yet history problems always lurked beneath the surface:
- 1982 Textbook Controversy: Japanese history textbook distortion scandal
- 1995 Murayama Statement: Japanese PM’s apology for colonial rule
3. Post-Cold War: History Problems Emerge
1990s: Comfort Women Issue Goes Public
With the Cold War’s end, suppressed history issues erupted. In 1991, Kim Hak-sun’s testimony made the comfort women issue an international matter.
2000s: Dokdo and History Textbooks
- 2005 Takeshima Day Designation: Massive protests in Korea
- History Textbook Screening: Continued controversy over Japanese historical distortion
2010s: Forced Labor Rulings
In 2018, Korea’s Supreme Court ordered Japanese companies to compensate forced labor victims. Japan’s government protested this as a violation of the 1965 treaty.
4. 2019: The Worst Year
Trade Dispute Begins
In July 2019, Japan announced export restrictions against Korea. It restricted exports of three key semiconductor materials.
Japan’s Measures:
- Export controls on photoresist, hydrogen fluoride, fluorinated polyimide
- Removed Korea from “white list” (preferred trade partner status)
Korea’s Response:
- Widespread boycott of Japanese products
- Considered terminating GSOMIA
- Filed WTO complaint
📖 Read More: 2019 Korea-Japan Trade War: Causes and Consequences
5. 2025: The Lee-Takaichi Era
New Leadership Emerges
In 2025, both Korea and Japan may welcome new leaders:
- Korea: Lee Jae-myung — progressive Democratic Party candidate
- Japan: Takaichi Sanae — Abe’s successor, conservative hardliner
Expected Friction Points
- Yasukuni Shrine Visits: Takaichi’s pledge to visit
- Comfort Women Agreement Review: Possible policy changes under progressive government
- Forced Labor Solution: Whether third-party payment scheme continues
📖 Read More: Lee Jae-myung and Takaichi: Future of Korea-Japan Relations
6. Future of Korea-Japan Relations: Structural Analysis
Structural Causes of Conflict
Korea-Japan tensions cannot be explained by leadership personalities alone. Structural factors exist:
- Incomplete Historical Reckoning: Issues the 1965 treaty buried keep resurfacing
- Domestic Politics Linkage: Hardline anti-Japan/Korea stances benefit both countries’ politicians
- Generational Change: Rise of generations without colonial experience
- Economic Competition: Intensifying rivalry in semiconductors, shipbuilding, and other key industries
Possibilities for Cooperation
However, factors for cooperation also exist:
- North Korean Nuclear Threat: Shared security interests
- US Pressure: Indo-Pacific strategy demands Korea-Japan cooperation
- Economic Interdependence: Mutual needs in supply chains
- Cultural Exchange: Active civilian exchange through K-pop, J-content
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1965 | Korea-Japan Basic Treaty, normalization |
| 1982 | Japanese textbook controversy |
| 1991 | Kim Hak-sun testimony, comfort women issue publicized |
| 1993 | Kono Statement (acknowledges coercion of comfort women) |
| 1995 | Murayama Statement (colonial rule apology) |
| 2005 | Takeshima Day designation, Korean backlash |
| 2015 | Comfort Women Agreement |
| 2018 | Supreme Court forced labor compensation ruling |
| 2019 | Japan export restrictions, trade dispute |
| 2023 | Yoon-Kishida summit, relations improvement attempt |
| 2025 | Lee-Takaichi era? |
Further Reading
This is the third pillar article in the State-Building series.
- Part 1: Complete Guide to Modern Korean History (1945-1950)
- Part 2: Complete Vietnam War Guide (1954-1975)
- Part 4: US-China Rivalry Complete Guide — Coming soon