President Moon Jae-in is speaking at the 'ASEAN+3' video summit held at the Blue House on the afternoon of the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Nah Ana] Some Japanese media have interpreted the South Korean government's recent efforts to improve relations with Japan as a strategic move in response to the inauguration of the Biden administration in the United States.
The Asahi Shimbun reported on the 22nd that "the South Korean government has begun to take steps to restore relations with Japan."
The Asahi Shimbun analyzed this based on President Moon Jae-in's remarks at the ASEAN+3 (South Korea, China, Japan) summit held on the 14th, where he said, "Honorable Chair, leaders of each country, especially Prime Minister Suga of Japan, it is a pleasure to see you," specifically naming Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
The newspaper stated, "The Moon Jae-in administration is seeking progress in inter-Korean relations," and "It appears that the South Korean government has judged that restoring relations with Japan is strategically effective."
It added, "The background behind the successive visits of important figures to Japan seems to be a plan to draw North Korea into dialogue at the Tokyo Olympics while keeping a close watch on the Biden administration, which values alliances."
It also reported, "A close aide of the Biden camp recently visited South Korea and urged senior government officials to improve relations with Japan."
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that Biden, who served as vice president during the Obama administration, mediated Obama's '2015 Japan-South Korea military comfort women agreement,' and suggested that if South Korea allows the deterioration of Japan-South Korea relations to continue, it could leave a negative impression on the Biden administration, closely linking Japan-South Korea relations with the inauguration of the Biden administration.
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