Urging Reconciliation

United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, made a visit to three major countries in Northeast Asia except Japan earlier this week. In Seoul, Kerry unequivocally requested Japan reconfirmation of traditional standpoint on the view to history related to World War II, namely comfort woman issue. Weeks after reinforcing relationship with Japan, U.S. embarked on diplomatic effort to neighbor countries of the troublemaking ally.

In the joint press conference with South Korean Foreign Minister, Yun Byung-se, Kerry had to address historical issue between ROK and Japan. “We continue to emphasize the importance of approaching historical issues in a manner that can promote healing and reconciliation,” told Kerry to a question about lack of communication over wartime atrocity between Korea and Japan. His line was basically neutral, hoping moderate discussion between Japan and Korea.

However, Kerry intensively stepped into evaluation on this issue. “With respect to the powerful and important part of reconciliation that comes from the events of World War II, particularly the trafficking of women for sexual purposes by the Japanese military during that war, we have said many times that that was a terrible, egregious violation of human rights,” told Kerry.

His comment challenged recognition of Shinzo Abe administration on this issue in an important way. Abe administration has not completely admitted that human trafficking as done by Japanese military. Kerry implicitly urged Abe to maintain the line of Kono Statement, which admitted involvement of Japanese military in building “comforting facilities.” “And the apologies that have been extended by previous Prime Minister Murayama and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kono marked a very important step forward, a chapter really, in Japan trying to improve relations with its neighbors” added Kerry. It is obvious that U.S. firmly stands by South Korea on this issue.

Yun explained existence of separation over the historical issue in Park Geun-hye administration. “Her administration has been strict in terms of the historical matters,” told Yun. And he indicated that South Korea could separate historical issues from the rest of the matters.

Japan maintains its open standpoint for unconditional resumption of Japan-South Korea dialogue between top leaders. Although Abe announced that he would keep the line of Kono Statement in the joint press conference with U.S. President Barack Obama, the Koreans do not trust him because statements of Japanese political leaders have been revised many times. Denial of historical viewpoint brings serious consequence.