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Japan and South Korea each have a bipartisan Japan-Korea parliamentary federation and a Korea-Japan parliamentary federation. Its predecessor was the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Association, which was established in 1972 at the will of the United States in the midst of the Cold War. It was established by 13 Korean parliamentarians who visited Japan and 48 Japanese Liberal Democratic Party members for the purpose of developing and promoting friendship between the two countries. agreed and started. Later, at the general assembly held in Tokyo in 1975, the current Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' League, the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' League, was launched with the aim of further developing the 'Korea-Japan parliamentary get-together'. So far, Japan has supported negotiations between the governments of the two countries on pending issues such as the comfort women issue and the former forced laborers lawsuit, and has elicited support from the private sector.
Former Prime Minister Suga took over as chairman of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' League in March this year, replacing former Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga, who has served as chairman for about 10 years. He has been the chairman of the Japan-Korea Parliamentary Association since former prime minister Yoshiro Mori, who served from 2001 to 2010. As Chief Cabinet Secretary, Suga was involved in the 2015 Japan-South Korea agreement on the former comfort women issue. Nukaga recommended Suga as his successor, judging that Suga, who had experience as chief cabinet secretary during the second Shinzo Abe administration and had directly dealt with issues between the two countries head-on, would be suitable for the post.
On March 17th, during the informal decision stage, Suga met with President Yoon Seo-gyeol, who was visiting Japan, along with officials from the federation. Suga said, "I want to boost (Japan-South Korea relations) by promoting inbound tourism and deepening people-to-people exchanges." In response, Yoon said, "I hope that people-to-people exchanges and understanding between the two countries will deepen, and normalization will be promoted." After that, Mr. Suga officially assumed the position of president at the federation's general meeting on the 27th of the same month.
On the other hand, about 180 parliamentarians currently belong to the Korea-Japan Parliamentary League, which is a bipartisan group in South Korea. In July last year, Jeong of the ruling party "People's Power" was appointed as the new chairman. Jeong is known as one of the representative 'professional Japanese' in the Korean political world, and has served as an adviser to the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' League, chairman of the Korean Missions Committee, and chairman of the Korea-Japan Parliamentary Diplomacy Forum before becoming chairman. successively held. In April of last year, he visited Japan as the leader of the Korea-Japan Policy Council delegation dispatched by Yoon, who was about to take office as president. He met with Prime Minister Kishida. Jeong then handed Prime Minister Kishida a personal letter from Yoon. Jeong referred to the Japan-Korea Joint Declaration signed in 1998 by then-President Kim Dae-jung and Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, saying, It is the basic thinking of (then) President-elect Yoon regarding South Korea-Japan relations to further develop the spirit of the president and former Prime Minister Obuchi."
Suga and Jeong met in the Japanese Diet on the 12th and agreed to activate parliamentary diplomacy. Suga said, "I would like to do my best to further accelerate the positive trend of Japan-South Korea relations and support their further development." He also touched on the resumption of "shuttle diplomacy" and evaluated it as "confirming that the movement to improve relations was on track." In response, Jeong said, "I hope that in the future, we will build friendships while respecting and caring for each other, and find a way to solve the problems between the two countries."
On the 13th, parliamentarians from both countries played a soccer friendly match at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, where the final match of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea was held. About 50 people participated. The 'Japan-Korea war' between Diet members has been held many times, and this is the 13th time. In November last year, Japanese lawmakers visited South Korea to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the World Cup in Japan and Korea, and a match was held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, where the opening ceremony was held. This match was held as a reward. Seishiro Eto, chairman of the Diet Members' League for the Promotion of Football Diplomacy and former vice-speaker of the House of Representatives, said, "I want this tournament to be a new kickoff for both countries."
A fierce battle unfolded, and there were scenes where the venue was excited with splendid passes and dynamic shots. The result was 4 to 1, and it was the Korean team's victory following last year's game. After the match, Eto told reporters, "I wanted the tournament to fully back up shuttle diplomacy. I am convinced that this will be the first step toward mutual respect between lawmakers from both countries."
The parliamentary federations of both Japan and South Korea have continued their activities with the aim of building friendly relations even in the face of severe bilateral relations. Now, the fruits of that effort are beginning to blossom.
2023/05/16 13:22 KST
