미중 전략경쟁 시기의 한일관계: 양극화된 정치와 대일정책

Abstract

The existing conflict and complexity of bilateral relations between Korea and Japan since the 2010s have now been further exacerbated due to the competition between the two countries owing to the reduction in the power gap between them, the conflict of identities, and the difference in their respective policies on China and North Korea. It is more appropriate to explain the conflict and complexity of the bilateral relations between Korea and Japan in the context of specific events, such as the issues of the Japanese military ‘comfort women’ and forced mobilization. However, in terms of policy and strategy, and the identity change caused by the equalization of the national powers of Korea and Japan, it must be understood that Korea is not just one country. The difference between progress and conservatism in Korea seems to be bigger than the difference between Korea and Japan. This ‘polarized politics’ is escalating the need to approach the relationship between Korea and Japan from a new perspective that includes more domestic variables. This study aims to analyze how political polarization affects the relationship between Korea and Japan. First, this study examines the perception and strategy of Korean conservatives and progressives during the U.S.-China strategic competition period and then analyzes the effects of political polarization on the development of the Korea-Japan General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) which symbolizes Korea-Japan security cooperation, the North Korea policy which is mentioned as an important factor in the conflict between Korea and Japan, and the historical problem which is pointed out as a direct cause of the conflict between Korea and Japan.