Lauren Richardson, a professor at Australian National University (second from left), on Dec. 9 speaks at a news conference held at the Westin Chosun Seoul the day before the opening of an international symposium on the history of and prospects for Korea-Japan relations.

By Kim Minji

Photos = Kim Sunjoo

Seoul ㅣ Dec. 9, 2019

A news conference for an international symposium on the history and prospects of Korea-Japan relations on Dec. 9 was held at the Westin Chosun Seoul.

At the so-called International Symposium for Future-oriented Korea-Japan Relations, five panelists including Etsuro Totsuka, a Japanese lawyer specializing in human rights, and Akiko Takenaka, a professor at the University of Kentucky, made brief speeches and gave their views on bilateral relations.

Nam Ki-jeong, a professor at Seoul National University's Institute for Japanese Studies, and Son Yuhl, a professor at Yonsei University's Graduate School of International Studies, served as moderators.

Japanese human rights lawyer Etsuro Totsuka on Dec. 9 speaks at a news conference the day before the opening of the International Symposium for Future-oriented Korea-Japan Relations.

Totsuka said, "Japan should pursue more studies on and inquiries into Korea-Japan relations and recognize what (Japan) must recognize," suggesting how bilateral ties can be improved.

He also discussed the relationship between the 1965 Korea-Japan Claims Settlement Agreement and human rights, saying, "(Japanese) Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe is wrong."

"(He) fully fails to understand the human rights law," he added, referring to a United Nations-enacted statute written in the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco, which restored peaceful ties between Japan and the Allied Powers.

Lauren Richardson, a professor at Australian National University, said, "The victims' wounds will never be healed, so the most important thing is look at how to manage these issues," adding, "It is important to avoid wording like 'This is the final solution.'"

She also said the victims' pain is an issue that must always be managed and urged Japan to bear this in mind.

kimmj7725@korea.kr