U.S. Lawmakers Call for Improved Japan-S. Korea Relations

Washington, Feb. 13 (Jiji Press)--A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has introduced a resolution calling for improved relations between Japan and South Korea. The resolution, introduced both to the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday, also reaffirms the importance of trilateral cooperation between the United States, Japan and South Korea. A constructive and forward-looking relationship between Japan and South Korea is important "for United States diplomatic, economic, and security interests and for open and inclusive architecture to support the development of a secure, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region," the resolution says. The resolution comes after relations between Japan and South Korea have been strained by a series of issues such as South Korean court rulings that ordered Japanese firms to pay compensation for wartime labor. The lawmakers are apparently concerned that a disruption in trilateral ties may undermine the United States' ability to address regional threats such as North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. "At a time of mounting regional challenge it is critical that the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea continue to deepen cooperation and partnership," Sen. Bob Menendez, one of the lawmakers and ranking Democratic member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said, using the official name for South Korea. "Congress is speaking with one voice to make clear that the United States must continue to support and bolster our engagement across the region, and work with Japan and the Republic of Korea to build a forward-looking partnership for the twenty-first century," Menendez said. Rep. Brad Sherman, a Democrat and one of the lawmakers, said, "We cannot let history prevent us from working together to meet the shared security challenges we face." At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, Adm. Philip Davidson, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, also underscored the importance of improved relations between Japan and South Korea for regional security. "I think both nations recognize...that the future in the Indo-Pacific is going to require great democracies like Korea and Japan, the United States, and others to work together here for the very long term," Davidson said. END