From colony to neighbor: Relations between Japan and South Korea, 1945-1985

This study is divided into two parts: a historical and an analytical section.;In the analytical section, one positive and three negative factors are identified. The role of the United States as a referee is the only positive factor. Through behind-the-scene intervention, the United States helps to promote friendship and stability in Japan-South Korean relations. The three negative factors are: the remembrance of the colonial period, the presence of Korean minority in Japan and finally Japan's two-Korea policy. The first two factors are fading in importance. As South Korea grows richer and stronger, Koreans will find less psychological need to dwell on Japanese atrocities during the colonial period (1910-1945). In turn, the Japanese will respect the Koreans more. As second and third generation Koreans in Japan are being integrated into Japanese society, they have gradually turned their energy from traditional South-North competition to struggle for their own civil and political rights in Japan. The last negative factor, namely, Japan's two Korea policy, will continue to irritate South Korea.;In the 1950s, Japan and South Korea exchanged mutual contempt and practised confrontational diplomacy. In 1965, normalization of relations was achieved after 14 years of tortuous negotiations. By 1985, a strong working relations and a feeling of mutual respect have been firmly established. This successful transformation is summarized in the title "From Colony to Neighbors".;In the historical section, the postwar relations between Japan and South Korea is divided into three periods: a Confrontation Period (1948-1960), a Cooperative Period (1961-1979) and finally a Competitive Period (1980-1985). The division into three periods coincided with the political tenure of three South Korean presidents: Syngman Rhee, Park Chung Hee and Chun Doo Hwan. Rhee was an independence fighter and he hates Japan. Park was a Japanese collaborator and he admires Japan. Lastly, Chun was raised in an anti-Japanese environment and he emphasizes national pride. In turn, Rhee's hatred of Japan led to confrontational diplomacy, Park's admiration of Japan led to cooperative diplomacy and Chun's national pride led to competitive diplomacy.