Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung's upcoming diplomatic tour to Japan and the United States marks a pivotal moment in Korea's regional strategy. His unprecedented decision to visit Tokyo before Washington carries deep symbolic and strategic weight. It signals Korea's intent to resume diplomacy through bilateral state visits with its closest neighbor while laying the groundwork for stronger trilateral cooperation with the United States and Japan amid a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.
According to Yonhap News Agency, symbolism alone is not enough. For Korea-Japan relations to mature and truly evolve beyond the cyclical pattern of historical tension and short-lived rapprochement, a clear and sincere reckoning with the past is indispensable. As much as forward-looking dialogue and economic cooperation are necessary, they cannot take root in a foundation still weakened by unhealed historical wounds.
This year is historically significant: It marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization between Korea and Japan, the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, and the 120th year since the signing of the Eulsa Treaty - widely viewed as the beginning of Japan's imperial domination over the Korean Peninsula. In such a year, both nations are called upon to reflect not only on diplomatic milestones but also on the moral imperatives that must underpin lasting peace and cooperation.
Lee's summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba offers an opportunity to move toward a more mature bilateral relationship - one that not only strengthens cooperation on vital issues such as semiconductors, AI, and economic resilience but also squarely addresses the legacy of Japan's wartime actions. This is especially timely as Japan prepares to issue a new prime ministerial statement marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. South Korean citizens - and many in the broader international community - will be watching closely to see whether Japan demonstrates a sincere willingness to acknowledge its past with the clarity and contrition that the moment demands.
This is not about reopening old wounds for political leverage, as some critics often suggest. Rather, it is about ensuring that healing and trust can take root in honesty. Reconciliation built on half-truths, euphemisms, or historical revisionism is inherently unstable. The 2015 Shinzo Abe statement, which skirted genuine remorse in favor of strategic ambiguity, remains a cautionary example. The path toward a truly forward-looking partnership requires courage from Japan - courage to face uncomfortable truths, show empathy for victims of colonial and wartime abuses and recognize the lingering effects of those traumas.
To be clear, Korea must also show leadership by engaging Japan not just through the lens of history, but also through a proactive and pragmatic vision of the future. The regional challenges are numerous: intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, global supply chain disruptions, and rising protectionism all underscore the need for stable and resilient partnerships. Korea and Japan are natural allies in addressing these challenges, given their economic interdependence and shared democratic values.
Indeed, both countries recently committed large-scale investment funds in tariff negotiations with the United States, with 550 billion from Japan and $350 billion from Korea, highlighting the scale of their shared strategic interests. As Lee prepares to meet President Donald Trump to discuss alliance modernization, defense cost-sharing, and technology cooperation, Korea's diplomatic posture is strengthened by a credible and constructive relationship with Japan.
But future gains will be fragile if they rest on historical amnesia. A partnership that denies or downplays the past can never be fully trusted, nor can it inspire the next generation of both countries to view each other with true respect and understanding.
A future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship must be built on dual pillars of shared strategic interests and shared moral responsibility. Lee's visit to Tokyo should be the beginning of a new phase in bilateral ties, one where honest reflection meets pragmatic cooperation. Only then can Korea, Japan, and the wider region move toward a stable, peaceful, and prosperous future.