Exploring the Future of Japan-Korea Relations: A New Perspective

Exploring the Future of Japan-Korea Relations

On October 29, 2025, a new book titled Seishin Koryin (誠信交隣) will be released, authored by Park Cheol-hee. This release marks a significant milestone, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the normalization of relations between Japan and South Korea. The title of the book, which translates to ‘Sincere Neighborly Relations,’ is derived from the words of Ameno Mori Hōshū, a Confucian scholar who served in the Tsushima domain during the mid-Edo period. He emphasized the importance of approaching one's neighbors with sincerity.

The establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea occurred on June 22, 1965, when they signed the Japan-Korea Basic Treaty. Historically, Japan and the Korean Peninsula have shared close ties through various cultural exchanges. However, this relationship became strained during the era of imperialism, particularly when Japan annexed Korea in 1910 and governed it until the end of World War II. The oppressive policies of that time, such as the coercive name changes, left a deep-seated distrust among the Korean people towards Japan.

Even after the normalization of relations, past grievances cast a long shadow, particularly due to the military dictatorship in South Korea, complicating the bilateral relationship. Issues such as the dispute over the submerged island of Dokdo (known as Takeshima in Japan), the plight of former forced laborers, and the exploitation of Korean women as comfort women during the war continued to sow discord between the two nations.

Despite these challenges, the geopolitical landscape of East Asia has catalyzed a reevaluation of Japan-Korea relations. The looming threats from North Korea's nuclear ambitions and China’s assertive foreign policy underscore the necessity for collaboration. Both countries share parliamentary democratic values and are vital trade partners. Since the normalization of their relations, the individuals crossing the borders have increased steadily, and Korean pop culture, exemplified by K-drama and K-Pop, has made significant inroads into Japan.

The relationship between Japan and Korea, once fraught with tension, has morphed into an unprecedented state of cooperation, marking a new chapter as the two nations celebrate this anonymous anniversary.

Park Cheol-hee, a highly regarded scholar in international politics and fluent in Japanese, penned this book based on a series of columns he contributed to the Tokyo Shimbun and Chūnichi Shimbun from January 2012 to June 2021. His analyses extend beyond Japan-Korea relations, exploring the influences of China, North Korea, and the United States across various sectors, including politics, economics, military matters, and civil interactions. His insights remain sharp and relevant to this day.

From August 2024 to July 2025, Park served as the South Korean Ambassador to Japan, during which he vigorously promoted bilateral exchanges. The upcoming book also includes discussions from a lecture he gave in Nagoya in June, just before his departure.

As both nations are often referred to as 'close yet distant neighbors,' Park aims to shift this narrative towards 'close and friendly neighbors.' Readers may find that after engaging with this book, their perception of Korea and East Asia transforms remarkably.

Book Structure

- Chapter 1: Looking towards the 60th anniversary of Japan-Korea normalization (summary from a lecture delivered on June 27, 2025, in Nagoya)
- Chapter 2: A Prospect of Japan-Korea Relations
- Chapter 3: Analyzing Issues Surrounding North Korea
- Chapter 4: A Panoramic View of East Asia

Author Biography

Park Cheol-hee was born in 1963 in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea. He earned a master's degree in political science from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. in political science from Columbia University. Throughout his career, he held various positions, including professor at the Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University and director of its Korean Studies Institute. Currently, he serves as an emeritus professor at the same university and is known as a prominent scholar of Japan-Korea relations with many connections within Japanese political circles.