Lee Jae-myung's Anti-Japan Stance a Setback for South Korea
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Lee Jae-myung is the former leader of the North Korea-friendly, anti-Japan, left-wing Democratic Party of Korea. Inaugurated on June 4, now Lee is the new president of the Republic of Korea.
In his inaugural address, Lee declared, "We will strengthen the ROK-US alliance as the bedrock and solidify trilateral cooperation with Japan." Yet, we cannot help but have concerns as to whether he will actually implement policies in line with this vow.
After all, in his campaign platform, Lee pledged to try to have materials on former comfort women entered into UNESCO's "Memory of the World" registry. He also announced his intention to set up a new foundation to address the issue. Then he raised it again, pledging to work towards international solidarity regarding the human rights of women during wartime.
Furthermore, at a debate on the comfort women issue during the election campaign, he made the following pronouncement: "I will restore the honor [of the former comfort women] and obtain maximum compensation. I will correct the historical legacy and be a responsible presidential candidate."
Lee thereby revealed his intent to rehash the issue.
Fond of anti-Japan rhetoric, opposition leader Lee Jae-myung addresses his supporters in his campaign on March 19, 2024. (©Lee Jae-myung Facebook)
'Final and Irreversible Resolution' in 2015
The governments of Japan and South Korea have confirmed that their 2015 agreement concerning the comfort women issue constituted "final and irreversible resolution." Seeking UNESCO registry or similar acts would run counter to the agreement.
There is even a possibility that Japan-South Korea relations will return to the level they were at during the Moon Jae In administration. At that time, many observers said they were at their worst in the postwar era. Should that occur, the foundation of political and economic relations between Japan and South Korea will again collapse.
In the past, Lee had labeled Japan as an "enemy state." However, during his campaign for the presidency, he changed his tune and referred to Japan as "an important partner." But a nation that does not abide by bilateral agreements cannot be considered a partner.
Moreover, scrapping the decision agreed to by South Korea and Japan would damage South Korea's own credibility and national interests.
North Korea tested a 240mm caliber multiple rocket launcher with improved guidance technology on August 27, 2024. (©KCNA via Korean News Agency)
National Security Intertwined with the Region
There are also concerns about Lee's perception of security issues. North Korea has clearly identified South Korea as an enemy state. Meanwhile, in his inaugural address, Lee signaled a shift away from the realistic approach adopted by the preceding Yoon Suk-yeol administration. According to Lee, "[South Korea] will keep channels of communication with North Korea open and pursue peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and cooperation."
North Korea is receiving military technology from Russia in exchange for aiding it in its invasion of Ukraine. China, which aims to annex Taiwan, has also been stepping up its military coercion.
In the past, Lee made the following provocative statement: "The United States military should withdraw from the Korean Peninsula." He added, "Whatever happens in the Taiwan Strait is of no concern to us."
If South Korea tries to remain uninvolved in a Taiwan crisis, the US-South Korea alliance will surely collapse. South Korea should also participate in efforts to deter China.
Lee should never forget that South Korea's own security, including in the event of an emergency on the Korean Peninsula, cannot be achieved without the US military presence in South Korea and Japan, as well as Japan's security cooperation.
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Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
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