The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Korea’s Liberation, the 120th year of the Treaty of 1905, and the 60th year of the Korea-Japan Basic Relations Treaty and the Claims Settlement Agreement.
Most notably, with the December 3rd insurrection and the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, an early presidential election will be held In this moment, which coincides with the urgent task of dismantling the far-right and anti-democratic forces, the Civil Solidarity for Historical Justice and Peaceful Relationship between Korea and Japan , together with members of the National Assembly, has reviewed and proposed key policy agendas for historical justice and Korea-Japan diplomacy that the next administration must prioritize and implement.
On 22nd May, a forum, "What We Expect from the Next Administration: Tasks for Peace and Historical Justice," was held. It is organised by The Civil Solidarity for Historical Justice and Peaceful Relationship between Korea and Japan and co-hosted by National Assembly members: Lee Hak-Young, Jin Sun-Mi, Lee Jae-Jung, Lee Soo-Jin, Kim Yong-Man, Kwon Hyang-Hyeop (Democratic Party of Korea), Kim Joon-Hyung, Jeong Chun-Saeng(Rebuilding Korea Party), Jeong Hye-kyung(Jinbo Party). Lee Soo-Jin and Kim Joon-Hyung attend the forum.
Park Seok-Woon(Co-President of Civil Solidarity for Historical Justice and Peaceful Relationship between Korea and Japan) opens the forum by saying, "The year 2025 is the starting point to restore the historical justice, accelerating truth investigating colonial state violence and the restoration of dignity for the victims." Lee Soo-Jin(National Assembly member of the Democratic Party of Korea) highlights, "The next administration should restore the historical justice that government Yoon has undermined and take the lead in addressing unresolved issues of colonial violence." Kim Joon-Hyung(National Assembly member of the Rebuilding Korea Party) emphasised that "The next administration must establish a long-term framework to restore historical justice"
In the keynote presentations, Professor Kim Jung-In of Chuncheon National University of Education emphasised that “In historical policy, governance with civil society is essential, as public perception of history often takes on popular characteristics, which can lead to renewed conflicts akin to history wars.” Professor Nam Ki-Jung of Seoul National University stated that “in order to build peaceful relations on the Korean Peninsula and between Korea and Japan, we must develop based on three key pillars: resolving historical disputes, expanding socioeconomic exchanges, and advancing peace and security cooperation.”
In the subsequent thematic presentations, experts from various fields discussed issues such as the Japanese military sexual slavery, forced mobilisation, Korea–Japan and Korea–U.S.–Japan military cooperation, the protection of human rights for Zainichi Koreans, and historical education. They examined the historical policies under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and current societal problems, while proposing visions for the future under the next administration.
Lee Na-Young, Chairperson of the Korean Council, addressed the current state and challenges of efforts to resolve the Japanese military sexual slavery issue. She stressed the need for the next administration to confront colonial legacies and analyze the rise of far-right forces in order to devise strategic responses. Specifically, she emphasized diplomatic efforts such as amending the “Act on the Protection of Victims of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery,” urging the implementation of court rulings requiring the Japanese government to pay damages, nullifying the 2015 Korea–Japan agreement, and protecting Peace Statues abroad.
Kim Young-Hwan, Director of External Cooperation at the Center for Historical Truth and Justice, stated that resolving the issue of forced mobilization from the perspective of human rights and peace is essential to achieving peace in East Asia.
Lee Yeon-Hee, Co-Representative of Peace Power for Sovereignty and Beyond, explained the military alliance aspect of current Korea–Japan and Korea–U.S.–Japan cooperation and urged an immediate halt to militarization on the Korean Peninsula. She highlights the need to ease the new Cold War dynamics and establish a peace regime in Northeast Asia.
Choi Sang-Goo, representative of the Korean International Network (KIN), pointed out issues in current diaspora policies and called on the next administration to develop policies that reflect the perspectives of marginalized overseas Koreans and ensure their rights.
Bang Hak-Jin from the Center for Historical Truth and Justice, highlighted the importance of historical education for public officials and asserted that future historical education must be grounded in the values of peace and democracy.
Following the presentations, participants in the forum shared a consensus on the urgent need to implement effective, phased policies to correct the ongoing deterioration of historical justice and the escalating threats to peace on the Korean Peninsula under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. They emphasized the importance of confronting this reality and swiftly pursuing corrective measures.
You may access the forum live video via The Korean Council YouTube channel The Korean Council YouTube Channel
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Korea’s Liberation, the 120th year of the Treaty of 1905, and the 60th year of the Korea-Japan Basic Relations Treaty and the Claims Settlement Agreement.
Most notably, with the December 3rd insurrection and the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, an early presidential election will be held In this moment, which coincides with the urgent task of dismantling the far-right and anti-democratic forces, the Civil Solidarity for Historical Justice and Peaceful Relationship between Korea and Japan , together with members of the National Assembly, has reviewed and proposed key policy agendas for historical justice and Korea-Japan diplomacy that the next administration must prioritize and implement.
On 22nd May, a forum, "What We Expect from the Next Administration: Tasks for Peace and Historical Justice," was held. It is organised by The Civil Solidarity for Historical Justice and Peaceful Relationship between Korea and Japan and co-hosted by National Assembly members: Lee Hak-Young, Jin Sun-Mi, Lee Jae-Jung, Lee Soo-Jin, Kim Yong-Man, Kwon Hyang-Hyeop (Democratic Party of Korea), Kim Joon-Hyung, Jeong Chun-Saeng(Rebuilding Korea Party), Jeong Hye-kyung(Jinbo Party). Lee Soo-Jin and Kim Joon-Hyung attend the forum.
Park Seok-Woon(Co-President of Civil Solidarity for Historical Justice and Peaceful Relationship between Korea and Japan) opens the forum by saying, "The year 2025 is the starting point to restore the historical justice, accelerating truth investigating colonial state violence and the restoration of dignity for the victims." Lee Soo-Jin(National Assembly member of the Democratic Party of Korea) highlights, "The next administration should restore the historical justice that government Yoon has undermined and take the lead in addressing unresolved issues of colonial violence." Kim Joon-Hyung(National Assembly member of the Rebuilding Korea Party) emphasised that "The next administration must establish a long-term framework to restore historical justice"
In the keynote presentations, Professor Kim Jung-In of Chuncheon National University of Education emphasised that “In historical policy, governance with civil society is essential, as public perception of history often takes on popular characteristics, which can lead to renewed conflicts akin to history wars.” Professor Nam Ki-Jung of Seoul National University stated that “in order to build peaceful relations on the Korean Peninsula and between Korea and Japan, we must develop based on three key pillars: resolving historical disputes, expanding socioeconomic exchanges, and advancing peace and security cooperation.”
In the subsequent thematic presentations, experts from various fields discussed issues such as the Japanese military sexual slavery, forced mobilisation, Korea–Japan and Korea–U.S.–Japan military cooperation, the protection of human rights for Zainichi Koreans, and historical education. They examined the historical policies under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and current societal problems, while proposing visions for the future under the next administration.
Lee Na-Young, Chairperson of the Korean Council, addressed the current state and challenges of efforts to resolve the Japanese military sexual slavery issue. She stressed the need for the next administration to confront colonial legacies and analyze the rise of far-right forces in order to devise strategic responses. Specifically, she emphasized diplomatic efforts such as amending the “Act on the Protection of Victims of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery,” urging the implementation of court rulings requiring the Japanese government to pay damages, nullifying the 2015 Korea–Japan agreement, and protecting Peace Statues abroad.
Kim Young-Hwan, Director of External Cooperation at the Center for Historical Truth and Justice, stated that resolving the issue of forced mobilization from the perspective of human rights and peace is essential to achieving peace in East Asia.
Lee Yeon-Hee, Co-Representative of Peace Power for Sovereignty and Beyond, explained the military alliance aspect of current Korea–Japan and Korea–U.S.–Japan cooperation and urged an immediate halt to militarization on the Korean Peninsula. She highlights the need to ease the new Cold War dynamics and establish a peace regime in Northeast Asia.
Choi Sang-Goo, representative of the Korean International Network (KIN), pointed out issues in current diaspora policies and called on the next administration to develop policies that reflect the perspectives of marginalized overseas Koreans and ensure their rights.
Bang Hak-Jin from the Center for Historical Truth and Justice, highlighted the importance of historical education for public officials and asserted that future historical education must be grounded in the values of peace and democracy.
Following the presentations, participants in the forum shared a consensus on the urgent need to implement effective, phased policies to correct the ongoing deterioration of historical justice and the escalating threats to peace on the Korean Peninsula under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. They emphasized the importance of confronting this reality and swiftly pursuing corrective measures.
You may access the forum live video via The Korean Council YouTube channel The Korean Council YouTube Channel