Kang Chang-il, the new S. Korean Ambassador to Japan, pledged to mend the relations between the two countries. (Image via The Korea Times)

New S. Korean ambassador aims to restore Japan-S. Korean relations

The newly appointed S. Korean Ambassador to Japan, Kang Chang-il, stated that both countries, seeing their relations sunk to the lowest points in decades due to the wartime labor and disputes during Japan's colonization of the Korean Peninsula in WWII, have to seek solutions to the issues.

In an online conference with the Japanese media before leaving for Japan, Kang said that the relations between S. Korea and Japan have been slumping at their worst level since the first time they formed diplomatic ties in 1965. Therefore, he pledged to do his best to mend the bilateral relations based on future-oriented ties. He said that it was a goal set by the President, Moon Jae-in, as part of the effort to help Japan hold a successful Summer Olympics in 2021.

Previously, the bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries almost severed because of the 2018 rulings by the S. Korean Supreme Court, ordering Japanese companies in S. Korea to compensate for the forced labor during Japan's colonial rule in 1910-1945. In retaliation, Japan tightened export control to S. Korea in 2019, crucial for its technology industry. Answering the policy, S. Korea also banned Japanese goods.

Kang said that banning drama will only harm both countries' economies. Furthermore, earlier this month, the court in Seoul also ruled that the Japanese Government must compensate for the comfort women. This ruling might put a heavier burden on the ties, as the Japanese Government referred to it as a violation of international law.

Therefore, Kang does not want to repeat the mistakes in handling the matter. The envoy also said that the lawsuit might be dropped if the Japanese Government admits its faults and apologizes. He also revealed that Moon wants to speak with the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, on bilateral matters.

Source: https://bit.ly/3bPTQz4