Korea-Japan Relations, beyond the Framework of Cooperation with the United States
By Choi Eunmi [Research Fellow, The Asan Institute for Policy Studies]
► Improved Korea-Japan Relations: The relationship between South Korea and Japan has significantly improved over the past year, driven by South Korea's resolution of the forced labor issue, increased collaboration, and the influence of new leadership in both countries.
► Trilateral Cooperation and U.S. Influence: The U.S.-ROK-Japan relationship remains a crucial framework for regional stability, though concerns about changes in U.S. and Japanese leadership could affect the dynamic. There's potential to rethink these relations beyond the traditional Cold War-era structure.
► Broader Multilateral Collaboration: Beyond bilateral relations, there is potential for expanded multilateral cooperation involving South Korea, Japan, and other nations, addressing shared challenges like security, natural disasters, and technological innovation.
