Publication

This paper provides three responses to the paper “Power and Identity in Japan-South Korea Relations” that argues South Korea/Japan relations are suffering because of a failure to deal with their colonial past. Brendan Taylor argues that the rise of China, America’s role in the Asia region, as well as the changing economic status of the two nations better explain the state of the Japan-ROK relationship. Ed Hawkins emphasizes the value of grassroots exchanges in comparison to government led projects when it comes to healing the past and the need to nurture long term relations. Finally, Woo Jung-Yeop and Eileen Block present ROK's position highlighting the legacy of victimization that is making conciliation a challenge. The paper also includes a brief response from the authors of “Power and Identity in Japan-South Korea Relations” to the points raised by Taylor, Hawkins, Woo Jung-Yeop and Block.