[News Terms] The 'Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration' Gaining Attention for Compensation of Forced Labor under Japanese Rule

The 'Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration' refers to the '21st Century New Korea-Japan Partnership Joint Declaration' announced on October 8, 1998, in Tokyo, Japan, by then-President Kim Dae-jung (1924?2009) and Japanese Prime Minister Obuchi Keizo (1937?2000). It consists of 11 articles, including principles for cooperation in five areas.

The core of this declaration is Japan's reflection and apology toward Korea, as well as formalizing cooperation in economic and North Korea policies. It is regarded as the most important declaration in Korea-Japan relations to date.

Former Prime Minister Obuchi stated, "We humbly accept the historical fact that colonial rule caused great damage and suffering to the Korean people, and we offer a sincere reflection and heartfelt apology for this."

Former President Kim Dae-jung.
Photo by Asia Economy DB

In response, former President Kim said, "We seriously accept Japan's expression of historical awareness and evaluate it, while both countries must strive to overcome the unhappy history of the past and develop a future-oriented relationship based on reconciliation, friendship, and cooperation. This is a demand of the times."

Former President Kim Young-sam's harsh remarks toward Japan, such as "We will correct your insolence," along with Japan's military demonstrations in the waters around Dokdo and the termination of the Korea-Japan Fisheries Agreement, had driven bilateral relations to their worst state. It was in this hostile environment that the 'Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration' was born.

Previous Japanese prime ministers had only referred to colonial rule indirectly as affecting "several Asian countries," without explicitly mentioning "Korea." However, the fact that Prime Minister Obuchi, head of the Liberal Democratic Party government, the mainstream of Japanese conservatism, directly mentioned "Korea" and "apology" for the first time is still regarded as a tremendous diplomatic achievement.

Regarding the recently announced compensation method for forced labor during Japanese colonial rule, the opposition Democratic Party harshly criticized it as "the worst humiliating diplomacy," while the ruling People Power Party defended it as "a decision for moving forward and a start to open the future."

The Japanese government stated, "We inherit the historical awareness of past cabinets, including the Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration," and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs evaluated that Japan "can be seen as having expressed an apology for the entire colonial rule."