By Shannon Tiezzi
South Korea and Japan spoke optimistically about their relationship at an important anniversary yesterday.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe traded messages on Monday, marking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of their countries’ diplomatic relations with optimism. Park and Abe attended separate functions, Park at a reception at the Japanese Embassy in South Korea and Abe at the South Korean embassy in Japan. South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se also travelled to Tokyo to mark the occasion, making his first trip to Japan since assuming office in 2013. A South Korean official, speaking to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, noted the slow progress: “Spring has come to South Korea-Japan relations, though the ice of the river has not melted yet.”
Both Park and Abe struck hopeful notes in their remarks. Park noted that the 50th anniversary of Japan-ROK relations “can provide a significant opportunity for the two countries to move toward a future.” She added, “It’s important to create a mood where we can put down the heavy burden of history with a view to achieving reconciliation and mutual prosperity.” Abe spoke of his “heartfelt joy” that Tokyo and Seoul were holding simultaneous celebrations of the anniversary. “I am confident that our cooperation on regional and global issues, and our joint efforts to advance our international contributions will lead the way to a new future for both Japan and the ROK,” Abe said. Abe did not reference historical issues in his remarks, stressing the future instead.
Read the full story at The Diplomat