Have Tokyo and Seoul overcome their on-again, off-again dynamics?

This week has provided a contrasting view of the Japan-South Korea relationship. An annual joint poll revealed that public attitudes towards each other have improved in both nations. However, just two days after this positive trend, Seoul lodged a formal protest against Tokyo's latest defense white paper. The white paper reinforced Japan's claim to disputed islets in the Sea of Japan.

These contrasting developments underscore a critical question: Has the recent improvement in bilateral ties become stable, or is it still susceptible to the historical and political disputes that often derail the relationship? When Lee Jae-myung assumed office as South Korea's president last June, there were doubts that a progressive administration would reverse the course of Japan-Korea relations.

The last progressive government, led by Moon Jae-in, saw the emergence of the "No Japan" campaign in South Korea, driven by domestic politics and longstanding historical animosity. With your current subscription plan, you are unable to comment on stories. However, to create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account, please visit our FAQ for more information.