On August 23, President Lee Jae-myung held a Korea–Japan summit in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, at which the two leaders issued a joint statement. The summit, which took place ahead of a Korea–U.S. summit and followed President Lee’s decision to visit Japan first, has generated sharply divided assessments.
In response, on September 10, the Korean Council, serving as a representative organization of "The Civil Solidarity for Historical Justice and Peaceful Relationship between Korea and Japan," co-hosted a National Assembly forum with experts, civil society organizations, and multiple National Assembly members’ offices. The forum provided a space to comprehensively evaluate the recent Korea–Japan summit and to explore future directions for bilateral relations.
Some participants acknowledged that, against rapidly shifting international dynamics and mounting pressure from the United States under the Trump administration’s aggressive trade policies, it may have been politically necessary for the two leaders to present an image of a “future-oriented” Korea–Japan relationship. The political constraints faced by the Japanese prime minister, including the need to contend with strong far-right groups, were also noted.
However, deep concerns were raised over the disappearance of historical justice under the banner of “pragmatic diplomacy.” The participants emphasized that discussions of the “future” were conducted without a clear reckoning with the past, most notably, without explicit acknowledgment of Japan’s illegal colonial rule, forced labor, the Japanese military sexual slavery, and the genocide of civilians, all of which constitute crimes against humanity. Participants further criticized what they described as the implicit acceptance of the Japanese government’s interpretation of the 1965 Korea–Japan Treaty.
Questions were also raised regarding whom such a “reconciliation without justice” truly serves, particularly when it disregards South Korean court rulings that were achieved through decades of efforts by victims and civil society. In addition, the declaration to strengthen trilateral cooperation among Korea, the United States, and Japan, under the pretext of addressing the North Korean nuclear issue, was criticized for effectively formalizing a strategy of containing China and reinforcing confrontation with North Korea, China, and Russia. As this alignment has been strongly encouraged by the United States, participants questioned how this approach differs from that of previous administrations, which sacrificed historical justice for military cooperation among the three countries.
The forum underscored the need for a principled Korea–Japan relationship grounded in historical truth, accountability, and respect for victims’ rights, rather than one that prioritizes geopolitical expediency over justice.
National Assembly Forum
"Assessment of the Korea–Japan Summit and Discussion for Future Challenges"
Date & Time: September 10, 2025 (Wednesday), 8:00–10:00 a.m.
Venue: Meeting Room 11, National Assembly Members’ Office Building
Hosts:
Democratic Party of Korea: Seo Young-kyo, Lee Jae-jung, Min Hyung-bae, Kim Han-kyu, Park Hong-bae, Lee Joo-hee, Jung Joon-ho (Members of the National Assembly)
Rebuilding Korea Party: Kim Jun-hyung, Jung Choon-saeng (Members of the National Assembly)
Progressive Party: Son Sol, Jung Hye-kyung (Members of the National Assembly)
Organizer: The Civil Solidarity for Historical Justice and Peaceful Relationship between Korea and Japan
On August 23, President Lee Jae-myung held a Korea–Japan summit in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, at which the two leaders issued a joint statement. The summit, which took place ahead of a Korea–U.S. summit and followed President Lee’s decision to visit Japan first, has generated sharply divided assessments.
In response, on September 10, the Korean Council, serving as a representative organization of "The Civil Solidarity for Historical Justice and Peaceful Relationship between Korea and Japan," co-hosted a National Assembly forum with experts, civil society organizations, and multiple National Assembly members’ offices. The forum provided a space to comprehensively evaluate the recent Korea–Japan summit and to explore future directions for bilateral relations.
Some participants acknowledged that, against rapidly shifting international dynamics and mounting pressure from the United States under the Trump administration’s aggressive trade policies, it may have been politically necessary for the two leaders to present an image of a “future-oriented” Korea–Japan relationship. The political constraints faced by the Japanese prime minister, including the need to contend with strong far-right groups, were also noted.
However, deep concerns were raised over the disappearance of historical justice under the banner of “pragmatic diplomacy.” The participants emphasized that discussions of the “future” were conducted without a clear reckoning with the past, most notably, without explicit acknowledgment of Japan’s illegal colonial rule, forced labor, the Japanese military sexual slavery, and the genocide of civilians, all of which constitute crimes against humanity. Participants further criticized what they described as the implicit acceptance of the Japanese government’s interpretation of the 1965 Korea–Japan Treaty.
Questions were also raised regarding whom such a “reconciliation without justice” truly serves, particularly when it disregards South Korean court rulings that were achieved through decades of efforts by victims and civil society. In addition, the declaration to strengthen trilateral cooperation among Korea, the United States, and Japan, under the pretext of addressing the North Korean nuclear issue, was criticized for effectively formalizing a strategy of containing China and reinforcing confrontation with North Korea, China, and Russia. As this alignment has been strongly encouraged by the United States, participants questioned how this approach differs from that of previous administrations, which sacrificed historical justice for military cooperation among the three countries.
The forum underscored the need for a principled Korea–Japan relationship grounded in historical truth, accountability, and respect for victims’ rights, rather than one that prioritizes geopolitical expediency over justice.
National Assembly Forum
"Assessment of the Korea–Japan Summit and Discussion for Future Challenges"
Date & Time: September 10, 2025 (Wednesday), 8:00–10:00 a.m.
Venue: Meeting Room 11, National Assembly Members’ Office Building
Hosts:
Democratic Party of Korea: Seo Young-kyo, Lee Jae-jung, Min Hyung-bae, Kim Han-kyu, Park Hong-bae, Lee Joo-hee, Jung Joon-ho (Members of the National Assembly)
Rebuilding Korea Party: Kim Jun-hyung, Jung Choon-saeng (Members of the National Assembly)
Progressive Party: Son Sol, Jung Hye-kyung (Members of the National Assembly)
Organizer: The Civil Solidarity for Historical Justice and Peaceful Relationship between Korea and Japan