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Japan-South Korea ties remain cold, five years after ‘comfort women’ agreement
- US President-elect Joe Biden may play a role as mediator between the two as he eyes strengthening alliances to tackle global challenges such as China’s rise
- But the neighbours’ differences over wartime labour compensation are deep, and they are unlikely to fundamentally resolve the issue, observers say
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Relations between Japan and South Korea in 2021 are expected to remain at a historic low over a wartime labour issue, even though the US administration under President-elect Joe Biden is set to increase pressure on the two American allies to mend ties.
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Political analysts say Biden may look to play a behind-the-scenes mediator role, just as the government of US President Barack Obama did in 2015 to help settle the issue of Korean “comfort women” who worked in wartime Japanese military brothels, a major sticking point between the Asian neighbours.
Biden served as vice-president under the Obama administration.
In response to US pressure, Japan and South Korea may be forced to give the impression they are trying to mend ties. But their differences over wartime labour compensation remain deep and the two countries are unlikely to fundamentally resolve the issue, they said.
“I believe the Biden administration will push more for strengthening the alliance between its allies and the question is by how much it wants an improvement in the Japan-South Korea relationship,” a senior Japanese diplomat said.
Incumbent US President Donald Trump showed little concern about Japan-South Korea ties, which deteriorated during his four-year tenure.
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