Statement by the Standing Committee of the National Security Council

March 17, 2005

The National Security Council today convened the 325th session of its Standing Committee to review the latest situation involving Korea-Japan relations and to discuss the basic principles for future relations between the two countries. The following is an unofficial translation of the statement on the results released following the meeting.

Two-Year Endeavors by the Participatory Government for the Development of Korea-Japan Relations

Over the past two years, the Participatory Government has exerted steadfast efforts to develop future-oriented relations between Korea and Japan in accordance with the basic spirit of going along with Japan into the future while looking forthrightly at the past?and with a vision of peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia.

The Government has thus far been committed to the development of multi-layered diplomacy, including informal summit diplomacy, and even when major conflicts surfaced, it has handled them in a future-oriented manner by discarding domestic political considerations. In addition, with a vision of a positive commitment to economic cooperation in Northeast Asia, Korea and Japan have started negotiations on an FTA. In parallel, effort has not been spared to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges on the basis of neighborliness and friendship.

We have been steadily sending messages to the Japanese Government calling for cooperation for the future by casting off the yoke of the unfortunate past. This was an example of the magnanimity the victim of past history toward the country that inflicted injury. For this purpose, we have called on Japan to do its part on its own accord on the basis of universal human values, instead of coercion from the outside. In this vein, during the Jeju-do summit meeting in July last year, the Participatory Government revealed its intention not to bring up past history as a diplomatic issue during its tenure. On our part, there was a reasonable expectation in view of universal common sense that the other side would not respond to our good faith with any action that would revive old feelings between the two countries and would not be the first to bring up past history as a controversial issue.

However, a series of actions taken by Japan of late has caused us to raise a fundamental question as to whether Japan has the will to co-exist with its neighbor as a peaceful power in Northeast Asia.

Of course, we do not believe that the majority of Japanese citizens are shunning the duty to reflect on the past and are concurring with the attitude of some ultranationalists. Nevertheless, the stark fact remains that the regressive rhetoric among some Japanese leaders based on an anachronistic interpretation of history has been rising. There is increasing concern that the history book beautifying the past aggression and usurpation will be approved by the central government without rectifying the problem.

The Japanese Government has been laying a territorial claim to our land that was forcefully taken from us in the course of the colonial invasion and was restored to us with national liberation. This is not simply a territorial issue but is nothing short of a denial of the history of our national liberation as well as a justification of aggression.

Looking at the situation now, the Government has the suspicion that even self-reflection - and apology - as mentioned in the remarks by Prime Minister Murayama in 1995 and in the 1998 Joint Declaration of a New ROK-Japan Partnership for the 21st Century might be being retracted.

It is regrettable that the regressive movement is continuing in Japan when the Korean Government has been groping for a new approach to the issues concerning historic events in an effort to construct future-oriented Korea-Japan relations. This movement is seriously damaging friendly relations between Korea and Japan, and furthermore it runs counter to the wishes of neighboring countries that desire peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia.

Basic Korea-Japan Relations in the Future and the Direction of the Government's Response

On the basis of the understanding and position mentioned above, the Government will deal with Korea-Japan relations founded on the following basic principles.

First, in the future, the Government intends to establish Korea-Japan relations on the basis of universal human values and common sense. From this perspective, the Government intends to settle historic issues in accordance with approaches taken universally throughout world history. That is to say, first, the truth must be revealed thoroughly, second, there should be a genuine reflection and an apology and finally there can be forgiveness and reconciliation.

Second, the Government regards a series of acts perpetrated by some Japanese people against Dokdo or involving historic issues as a grave matter stemming from their conscious effort to justify Japan's robbing of colonies in the past, and accordingly, the Government intends to deal with it with resolute determination.

Third, the Government will make its best effort to boldly reveal to international society our great cause and its justification, and in the process, the Government intends to demand that Japan change its attitude.

Fourth, in pursuing peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia, and from the understanding that Korea and Japan are destined to work as partners, the Korean Government has agreed on or will continue to carry out various political and diplomatic exchanges, and further, the Government intends to promote economic, social, cultural and people-to-people interaction without change.

On the principles mentioned above, the Government intends to cope with the pending Korea-Japan problems as follows.

First, the Government intends to take measures to firmly safeguard our territorial right to Dokdo.

Second, the Government intends to establish solidarity with the international community and the conscientious forces in Japan and rectify the anachronistic distortion of history, and at the same time, the Government intends to cope with the problem by utilizing all possible means so that there will be a common understanding of the need to recognize history truthfully.

Third, we will make every effort to justly solve the issue concerning the victims of Japan's colonial rule because this is a matter of universal human norms and rights. It is necessary to clearly recognize that Korea should do what it should do and Japan should fulfill what it should fulfill. So far, the Korean Government has been refraining from directly dealing with demands from civil groups regarding the victims of Japan's colonial rule. Recognizing that protecting the rights of individual victims is a matter of universal human rights and that the state cannot deprive them of those rights, the Korean Government will bear its share of the burden under the 1965 Treaty on Basic Relations. Meanwhile, the Korean Government will urge the Japanese Government, out of respect for human rights and in compliance with universal human norms, to compensate individual victims for matters that were not covered by the treaty.

Fourth, Japan should realize that the first step for it to be respected as a leading nation in the international community, including the United Nations, is to earn trust from its neighboring countries. The Korean Government will pay close attention to Japan's move with regards to that point and cope with it in a proper manner.

Fifth, we will not abandon the belief and hope that Japan will work together with Korea to establish peace and stability in Northeast Asia in the future and that the two countries are in the same boat. In this context, we will continue existing projects for human and cultural exchanges. In particular, we will strengthen efforts to establish a network between the civil societies of both countries that have helped promote bilateral interest. Through these efforts, we will lay a foundation for solving historic issues at the grassroots level.

We expect Japanese intellectuals and citizens of good sense to take the lead in prompting Japan to sincerely reflect upon what kind of attitude the country should take toward history and its neighbors without repeating the unfortunate past history.

Fellow Koreans, difficulties may follow the government's policy shift. But it is necessary to endure them for the right path of history and the great cause. We are well aware that only those who overcome challenges with firm awareness of history will prosper permanently and receive respect from around the world.

Lastly, fellow Koreans, we fully understand the psychological pain and indignation you are going through. But it is necessary that we maintain dignity and moderation in expressing our opinion so that the future of peace and coexistence with the people of Japan will not be damaged. We ask you to refrain from insulting our neighbor country or violating propriety between nations.

Thank you.