한일협력과 역사문제 - 갈등을 넘어 화해로

Abstract

South Korea and Japan were not able to reach a willingly agreeable solution to their historical problems that stem from experiences during Japanese colonial rule. Nonetheless, the two countries put an effort into the relief of Korean victims and succeeded in some parts. At the time of normalization of Japan-South Korea diplomatic relations in 1965, Japan lacked in apologizing and reflective historical awareness regarding the Japanese invasion and occupation of Korea. However, starting from the 90s Japan demonstrated remarkable progress in enhancing historical awareness. Japan clarified its position of apologies and regrets for the past invasions and occupations, and provided diverse aids in the name of humanitarian purposes to Korean victims, such as Korean atomic bomb survivals, Sakhalin Koreans, and “comfort women.“ Such changes in attitude results from persistent demands of victims and activists who support them, but efforts of two governments to introduce their demands as a diplomatic agenda and to solve it through negotiations should be considered into account. Moreover, researchers, teachers, and journalists also played their roles throughout the process by identifying the essence of historical problems and leading public opinions toward the solution of problems. Thus, the half-century process of incorporating and solving historical problems as a diplomatic agenda between Korea and Japan could be understood along with the general developmental track of Korea-Japan relations. South Korea and Japan are neighbors that should expand their national interests through both competition and cooperation. They are destined to such position regardless of remaining hatred or hostility. So it is desirable for the two countries to overcome historical conflicts and accomplish a reconciliation. However, the pathway toward the historial reconciliation is challenging and requires mutual reflection and concession. Nevertheless, it is a possible future with the commitment of two countries. There is almost no precedent of historical reconciliation between an imperial aggressor state and a former colonial state. Therefore, the accomplishment of historical reconciliation through mutual efforts between Korea and Japan will present a new vision to the history of humankind as a significant achievement. Hence, it is necessary for the two countries to believe in historical reconciliation rather than conflict by developing and executing joint projects. For instance, the establishment of Korea-Japan’s Future Foundation or Korea-Japan’s Friendship and Trust Foundation for a comprehensive approach to historical problems and for a business toward the improvement of historical awareness could be one of possible methods. At the end, Korea and Japan will encounter a reality in which the future already arranged the past and will discover themselves with higher dignities as those who led the world into a new horizon of civilization.