ANALYSIS: Tokyo, Seoul moving from foe to partners, finding more common ground+

SEOUL, Feb. 11 Kyodo -
Japan's relations with South Korea, which were in the worst shape just a few
years ago, is steadfastly evolving into a more ''future-oriented'' and
''mature'' partnership, as the two neighbors have begun to recognize common
interests in boosting their global presence and securing their alliances with
the new U.S. administration.
Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said in wrapping up his visit
Wednesday in Seoul, ''There is no bilateral relationship in which no problems
exist. Our predecessors in Japan and South Korea have applied their wisdom to
overcome the issues and we, too, must further such efforts in a calm manner and
put things in perspective.''
At foreign ministerial talks, Nakasone and his counterpart Yu Myung Hwan
reached various agreements on key tools to foster the ''mature partnership'' as
eyed by the nations' top leaders, including cooperation in providing
development assistance for Afghan reconstruction, the first of its kind between
the two neighbors.
''Of course there are still difficult issues between South Korea and
Japan...but I think the two countries now recognize each other as a very
important partner in the international arena,'' a Japanese Foreign Ministry
official involved in Korean affairs said.
Asked by reporters about the significance of joint Japan-South Korea efforts on
tackling global issues, Yu said, ''As friendly nations that share common values
and neighbors with deep understanding for each other culturally, we can create
synergy by cooperating and capitalizing on our respective strong points.''
Both Tokyo and Seoul want to expand assistance in Afghanistan, which new U.S.
President Barack Obama has indicated he will put priority on. Japan currently
has more civilian presence and expertise in Afghan reconstruction, while South
Korea has an advantage in its ability to send security forces.
The change of administration in the United States and the visit by U.S.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Asia next week have also prompted Japan
and South Korea to compare notes and review the appropriate way forward in
dealing with the North Korean nuclear and other issues.
''At the moment, the Japanese government and the South Korean government are in
the same boat and they're trying to persuade the new U.S. government not to
move too fast'' on its relations with North Korea, Seoul National University
professor Lee Geun said.
Tokyo, which wants emphasis on the abduction issue, and Seoul, which is facing
pressures in domestic politics, are both wary that the engagement
policy-oriented Obama administration may move too quickly with the North on the
nuclear issue.
Saying there is a need for a ''comprehensive solution'' in the nuclear, missile
and abduction issues at Wednesday's talks, Nakasone hoped to get South Korea
and other key players to take a step back and consider the matter from a
broader perspective instead of just dwelling on verification of the North's
nuclear programs, a senior ministry official said.
''As the new administration in Washington will take some time to review U.S.
policies on North Korea so far, this is a good opportunity to do so,'' the
official said, asking not to be named.
With the current conservative South Korean government emphasizing human rights
issues especially in North Korea, Tokyo and Seoul are also getting closer in
their positions on the abduction issue.
This was reflected in South Korea's decision to openly help arrange a meeting
between the family members of missing Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi and
former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui who may hold clues to Taguchi's fate. Yu
conveyed the plan to Nakasone at the end of their talks.
Until now, Japan had been unable to press ahead with its requests for such a
meeting due to reluctance by President Lee Myung Bak's predecessors to do so
out of fears of upsetting North Korea.
Seoul National University's Lee, an expert in international politics, warned
that Japan may again be isolated in the six-party nuclear talks if South Korea
is pressured by the U.S. government.
At the same time, Japan still has in hand other major cards it can play against
South Korea, which is fearing the withdrawal of Japanese investments amid the
already severe financial crisis and worrying that Washington will set its
alliance with Seoul aside amid priorities for the U.S.-Japan relationship.
Japan can certainly make use of the circumstances to strengthen its ties with
South Korea and develop a ''virtual alliance'' with Seoul under the trilateral
relationship with the United States, Lee said.
''The fact that the two countries have entered a new era which allows for the
current kind of frequent visits by our leaders and foreign ministers to discuss
not only history and territory disputes but global issues and common challenges
is significant,'' said Yasuhisa Kawamura, the ministry's deputy press
secretary.
==Kyodo
2009-02-11 23:16:51