17 Japanese firms face South Korean wartime damages suit (Asahi Shimbun) ‘Girl of Peace statue’ to remain intact in central in Berlin (Dong-A Ilbo) Japanese Academia and Civic Groups Issue Statement Criticizing Ramseyer’s Paper (Dong-A Ilbo) 19-Year-Old Detained for Posting…
The last Korean to be convicted of war crimes after serving in the Japanese military during World War II has died without receiving the apology and compensation he insisted Tokyo owed him for his suffering. Lee Hak-rae, 96, died on Sunday.
South Korea’s Moon Calls for Japan Talks, Separation of Historical Disputes from Future Ties (SCMP) Japanese Media: Moon’s Speech Lacks concrete Proposals for Bilateral Cooperation (Dong-A Ilbo) EDITORIAL: Decisive action needed to resolve Tokyo-Seoul history dispute (Asahi Shimbun) Moon: South…
Forced Labor: The Japan Times: South Korean leader says Seoul ‘always ready to sit down’ with Tokyo Dong-A Ilbo: “Japanese media: Moon’s speech lacks concrete proposals for bilateral cooperation” Asahi Shimbun: “Moon: South Korea, Japan must look to future to…
“A South Korean cultural “correction team” that works to promote accurate knowledge about the East Asian country has become another focus of discussion on Chinese social media amid the raging cultural feuds between the two neighboring countries. Chinese netizens questioned…
Baidu, the largest internet portal in China, recently caused controversy among the South Korean public for introducing Yun Dong-ju, a Korean poet and independence activist during the Japanese colonial era, as “Chinese.”
“A record 40.4 pct of Japanese do not believe that their country’s relationship with South Korea is important, apparently reflecting bilateral conflicts over history issues, a Cabinet Office survey showed Friday.”
Chosun Ilbo: Korea Labels Japan ‘Neighbor’ Not ‘Partner’ Global Times: South Korea’s defense white paper strikes a pragmatic tone South China Morning Post: South Korea affirms cool Japan relations, warm China ties in defence white paper Korean Herald: Seoul says…
Asahi Shimbun: A Seoul court will reopen proceedings in a lawsuit by former “comfort women” seeking a combined 3 billion won (280 million yen, or $2.7 million) from the Japanese government in compensation for their ordeal. Asahi Shimbun: A South…
Dong-A Ilbo: “South Korea has proposed to the leaders of East Asia that we all work closely to ensure high levels of quarantine and security during the two upcoming Olympic games in 2021, Tokyo, and in 2022, Beijing,” said South…
Kyodo News: “South Korean President Moon Jae In wants to mend relations with Japan that have been frayed by a dispute over wartime labor, Seoul’s spy chief told Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday.” Chosun Ilbo: “National Intelligence Service…
Global Times: “The spirit of CPV soldiers resisting US aggression in Korean War inspires generations of Chinese people” Global Times: “CPV soldiers confident in young Chinese generations inheriting their spirit” Global Times: “Gala to mark the 70th anniversary of the…
“Families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea have called for U.S. President-elect Joe Biden to fulfill the promises made by incumbent President Donald Trump in realizing the return of their loved ones.”
The Korea Herald: “A Japanese diplomat arrived in Seoul on Wednesday for talks with his South Korean counterparts amid a prolonged row between the two countries over Tokyo’s wartime forced labor and export curbs.” The Korea Herald: “The Ministry of…
Korean boy band BTS makes controversial remarks over Korean War: Chosun Ilbo: “Chinese online warriors are peeved at remarks by a member of super boy band Bangtan Boys, also known as BTS, at an award ceremony promoting Korean-American relations.” The…
The Telegraph: “The remains of 117 Chinese soldiers who died in the 1950-53 Korean War were returned to China on Sunday in an annual repatriation delayed this year by the coronavirus outbreak.” Xinhua News: “The remains of 117 Chinese soldiers…
Korea Joong Ang Daily: They ate with the French. Fought with the French. Rested in the same barracks as the French. They just didn’t speak French. “We did everything together, eat, train, fight in battles, wield the same weapons, wear the…
Coverage over the recent unveiling of a statue commemorating ‘comfort women’ in Berlin: DW Akademie: “A Korean citizens’ group is aiming to raise awareness of women forced to work in military brothels with a new memorial. But Japan has said…
Chosun Ilbo: “Gov’t Kept Mum About N.Korean Slaughter of S.Korean” The Japan Times: “Kim says sorry for killing of South Korean over coronavirus fears” The Straits Times: “North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offers rare apology for killing of South…
“The anti-Korean hashtag #CancelKorea is trending in the Philippines after a storm in a teacup involving a tattoo and a local ‘influencer.'”
Over the summer, there have been several developments on historical issues affecting South Korea-Japan relations. From Japanese UNESCO sites to wartime workers, here are a selection of stories providing an overview of recent changes. Chosunilbo: “Cheong Wa Dae is bristling…
“South Korean President Park Geun-Hye muted her criticism of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s war anniversary statement, mindful that she needs to improve her country’s relations with Japan.”
“South Korea and Japan held their first high-level security talks in more than five years on Tuesday, despite simmering tensions over territorial and historical disputes. Resuming the “two plus two” talks, which include the two nations’ foreign and defense officials,…