한일회담과 청구권 문제의 해결 방식 - 경제협력 방식으로의 전환과정과 미국의 역할을 중심으로 -

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the process of how the issue of claims between Korea and Japan following the liberalization of Korea was resolved in the form of economic cooperation during Korea-Japan dialogue considering the aid that was provided by the US. In particular, it highlights the relationship of Korea, US, and Japan during this process. During the 1950’s, the normalization of Korea-Japan relations did not mean that the economic relationship between the two countries was becoming truly closer. Rather with the realization of the communism revolution in China, the partnership of Korea and Japan focused more on preventing the spread of Chinese communism from spreading. With the US implementing its “reverse policy,”in other words, trying to have Japan be the stronghold of Asian capitalism, it realized that the security of the Korean peninsula would directly impact Japan. Therefore, the US strongly felt that the normalization of Korea-Japan relations would contribute to the stabilizing of the capitalist system in Asia. This position taken by the US became the basis for the Korea-Japan Dialogue taking place. The issue of claims raised during the 1950’s could not be resolved due to the nonintervention policy of the US and the difference of views between Korea and Japan on its past. Furthermore, it was influenced by the Treaty of Peace (with Japan) which waived compensation to Japan with the justification that it was supporting the reconstruction of the Japanese economy. The shift in approach to resolving the issue of claims took place in the 1960’s when the US adopted a different policy in external aid with the aim of reducing its burden through cooperation with Japan. Moreover, the improvement of the overall Korea-Japan relations became more urgent in resolving the economic issues between the two nations. Accordingly, the US intervened proactively on the claims issue, recommending political comprise and suggested to Japan that its aid to Korea be linked to this matter. The issue of claims was resolved in 1960’s in the form of economic cooperation with the interest of three nations all being met. In other words, US wished to reduce its burden for economic aid；Japan wanted to enter into the Korean market with its rapid post-war economic growth；and the Korean government yearned to overcome the unstable political situation with economic growth.