The United States and China have achieved what many thought was impossible - a historic meeting between US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Mr Biden is holding the first separate meeting between the three countries at a presidential retreat at Camp David in the US on Friday. It's a diplomatic — but still weak — coup for the American leader.
South Korea and Japan are neighbors and old allies of the US, but they have never been friends.
But now an increasingly assertive China has renewed US interest in East Asia. And it brought together two countries that had struggled for decades to overcome deep historical grievances.
"I find the Camp David meeting stunning," Dennis Wilder wrote on X. A professor at Georgetown University, Mr. Wilder managed Japan-South Korea relations under former President George W. Bush.
At the time, they could "hardly get the South Korean and Japanese leaders to meet us in the same room," he said.
In recent months, Mr. Kishida and Mr. Yoon have taken tentative steps to resolve hostilities and strengthen ties with Washington. This once unimaginable alliance is driven by shared interests – the biggest of which is China.
The meeting at Camp David - also the first time foreign leaders have visited the presidential retreat since 2015 - is an attempt to "indicate and show how seriously" Mr Biden takes the relationship between Japan and South Korea, according to a White House spokesman.
"The Camp David summit is truly historic, unimaginable until now, because the Seoul-Tokyo relationship has always been full of historical disputes that have drowned the two legs of the triangle," says Duyeon Kim of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American. Security in Seoul.
"This is an extremely rare opportunity for these three countries to take their vision to the next level. They should seize it and boldly pursue ambitious themes before presidential election cycles test or even strain the durability of their commitments."
Why did it take so long?
First, the wounds are old.
Some may describe the two countries as "monsters," but that's too trite a term to describe the deep pain among South Koreans, including the thousands of so-called "comfort women" who were kidnapped and used as sex slaves by the Japanese military during World War II.
South Koreans believe the Japanese have never properly apologized for colonizing the Korean peninsula between 1910 and 1945. However, Tokyo has claimed to have atoned for its historical sins in several treaties.
Any detente was always fragile, almost like a game of Jenga. Even if the East Asian bloc seemed solid, one wrong move could bring the entire edifice down.
In 2018, a long-running court case in Seoul over Japan's use of forced labor during World War II sparked a trade dispute that has plunged relations between the neighbors to their lowest level since the 1960s.
But there has been progress recently, including a milestone in March that offered Washington a new opportunity.
But there is good reason for the two new administrations to put aside their differences, even at the cost of political capital on the domestic front.
This is, after all, the era of pragmatic politics – and they see a greater threat looming.
China's assertive stance in Asia has worried its neighbors. Beijing claims Taiwan, a democratically administered island, and has not ruled out using force to "unify" it with the mainland. Invasions of Taiwanese airspace and large-scale military exercises are now the so-called "new normal".
There is also North Korea. which has conducted more than 100 weapons tests since early 2022, including firing missiles at Japan. The war in Ukraine has also prompted many countries, including South Korea and Japan, to prioritize national security.
All of this appears to have helped Mr. Biden win where the previous administration in Washington had failed.
"This is a significant milestone in the history of the trilateral relationship, which has gradually developed over the past three decades," said Andrew Yeo, chairman of the SK-Korea Foundation at the Brookings Institution in Washington.
He says the three parties will seek to "consolidate the gains" they have made in the past year or so, "while building momentum ... to address a number of security challenges in Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region."
This would mean signing agreements on defense, diplomacy and technology. It is already known that they will agree to hold regular military exercises, establish a new tripartite crisis line and, most importantly, commit to meeting once a year. Washington's goal is then to create long-term ties that will last beyond the current presidents.
"Biden, Yoon and Kishida have a chance to make even greater history that will last beyond the milestone meeting at Camp David," Duyeon Kim said.
"Their respective governments will need to implement their shared vision proactively and beyond their leadership roles as the Seoul-Tokyo relationship continues to ebb and flow. If an ultra-left South Korean president and an ultra-right Japanese leader are elected in yr." their next cycles, then either of them could derail all the meaningful and hard work that Biden, Yoon and Kishida are putting in right now.”
Will it last?
Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to President Biden and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs, praised the "political courage" of Mr. Kishida and Mr. Yoon, calling it a "breathtaking kind of diplomacy."
But a change of leadership could mean a change of heart.
"Tensions, which run deep, especially in South Korea due to past historical hostilities related to Japan's colonization of Korea, will not disappear overnight and we will likely continue to see diplomatic disputes, as happened a few weeks ago when the Japanese Ministry of Defense declared Dokdo (Takeshima Islands ) for themselves in their national security strategy,” said Andrew Yeo.
Relatively low approval ratings for Kishida and Yoon at home may limit the amount of diplomatic capital the two leaders could inject into Korea-Japan relations. I also believe that at some point both sides, and Japan in particular, will need a more thorough assessment of their colonial past in Korea and elsewhere."
Japan and South Korea may not want to go as far as Mr. Biden in criticizing China. For fear of a backlash, they can hardly mention Beijing in their public remarks after the summit.
And pacts involving economic measures can be harder to secure than national security agreements.
Tensions between the US and China, especially economic restrictions, cost both South Korea and Japan. China is a key trading partner for both. And companies in Seoul and Tokyo — like Samsung and Nissan — rely heavily on Chinese workers and consumers.
Beijing has already expressed its displeasure with the summit. It will see it as another attempt by the US to "maintain" its influence, no matter how much the White House denies it. He already called it "mini-NATO".
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on South Korea and Japan to work with Beijing to "revitalize East Asia."
In July, in a video now widely shared, he made an unusually blunt challenge: “No matter how blonde you dye your hair or how sharp you shape your nose, you can never become European or American, you can never become Western. We need to know where our roots lie."
While Mr. Biden has focused — perhaps successfully — on building defense alliances in Asia, he has left little room for engagement in Beijing and Pyongyang.
There have been signs that this is changing, with a flurry of recent visits to Beijing by senior US officials - Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and US special climate envoy John Kerry. There are also reports that Washington has approached North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with an offer of high-level talks "without preconditions".
In a remarkable display of diplomatic prowess, President Biden held a landmark summit between South Korea and Japan, a major step toward strengthening alliances and addressing China's escalating influence in the Asia-Pacific region. This historic event not only signifies a renewed commitment to regional stability, but also underscores the strategic importance of solidarity in the face of common challenges
Unprecedented diplomatic effort: President Biden's decision to hold the SK-Japan summit underscores his administration's commitment to promoting unity among key allies in the region. This high-level meeting serves as a platform for both nations to reaffirm their shared values, interests and commitment to upholding international norms.
Countering China's Hegemony: As China continues to assert its influence in the Asia-Pacific, the SK-Japan summit represents a key step in creating a united front against China's growing power. Through cooperation on the economic, security and diplomatic fronts, South Korea and Japan seek to balance China's expanding reach and preserve regional autonomy.
Economic cooperation: The summit is expected to promote economic cooperation between South Korea and Japan, promote trade and investment, while ensuring a strong supply chain network. Strengthening economic ties not only benefits the economies of both nations, but also strengthens their collective bargaining power on the global stage.
Security and Defense: Amid evolving security challenges, the summit provides an opportunity for South Korea and Japan to strengthen their defense cooperation. By strengthening joint military exercises, intelligence sharing and technological cooperation, the two states can effectively address regional security issues and ensure stability.
Humanitarian and cultural exchanges: In addition to politics and economics, the summit emphasizes the importance of people-to-people relations. By facilitating cultural exchanges and cooperation in areas such as science, education and health care, South Korea and Japan strive for mutual understanding and building lasting ties.
Global Implications: The outcome of this historic summit goes beyond the borders of the region. A stronger alliance between South Korea and Japan serves as a model for other nations seeking to balance Chinese influence. This unity reinforces the importance of multilateralism and cooperation in solving global challenges.
The experienced organization of President Biden's historic SK-Japan summit represents a turning point in regional dynamics and reaffirms the value of alliances in a rapidly changing world. By combining interests, addressing shared interests, and fighting China's hegemony, South Korea and Japan not only strengthen their partnership, but also send a strong message of unity and determination to the international community. This summit is a testament to the enduring power of diplomacy and cooperation in navigating complex geopolitical terrain.
As a strategic move to counter China's growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region, President Biden held a historic summit between South Korea and Japan. This diplomatic initiative aims to strengthen regional alliances and promote cooperation between key allies. The consequences of the summit are far-reaching, as they address not only geopolitical, but also economic and security interests. This article delves into the key developments of the SK-Japan summit hosted by Biden and explores the potential implications for the region.
Key events of the SK-Japan summit hosted by Biden:
Historic Reconciliation: The summit represents a major step toward mending historical tensions between South Korea and Japan. President Biden's mediation underscores the importance of a united front against common challenges, particularly China's assertiveness in the region.
Security Cooperation: The summit aims to strengthen security ties between South Korea and Japan. Discussions on intelligence sharing, joint military exercises and defense strategies serve to deter potential threats and ensure regional stability.
Economic cooperation: Economic cooperation is taking center stage, with talk of trade deals, technology partnerships and infrastructure development. By promoting economic interdependence, the summit seeks to strengthen the region's resilience to economic pressure from China.
Climate change commitments: The summit also addresses environmental issues, with both countries pledging to work together to combat climate change. This joint commitment aligns with President Biden's global climate agenda and underscores the importance of international cooperation.
Multilateral diplomacy: The SK-Japan summit marks a broader effort by the Biden administration to strengthen multilateral diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region. By gathering allies, the United States wants to present a united front against China's expansionist policies.
Consequences for the region:
Balancing Chinese influence: The summit reflects a concerted effort to balance China's growing regional dominance. By cementing alliances, the Biden administration is trying to prevent China from unilaterally shaping the geopolitical landscape of the region.
Enhanced regional stability: Enhanced security cooperation can contribute to maintaining stability in the region. A unified approach to security challenges discourages aggressive behavior and promotes a secure environment for economic growth.
Economic Resilience: Cooperative economic initiatives can reduce the impact of China's economic pressure. By diversifying trading partners and sharing technological knowledge, South Korea and Japan can reduce their vulnerability to economic pressure.
Diplomatic priority: The summit sets a diplomatic precedent for resolving historical disputes and building bridges between nations with complex relationships. This approach could inspire other countries in the region to seek peaceful solutions.
US Leadership: The Summit underscores the United States' commitment to leadership in the Asia-Pacific region. By facilitating diplomatic solutions and promoting cooperation, the US seeks to strengthen its key role in the region.
President Biden's holding of the historic SK-Japan summit has significant implications for countering Chinese influence in the Asia-Pacific region. This diplomatic move not only solves security and economic problems, but also paves the way for better regional stability and cooperation. As the outcome of the summit unfolds, its impact on the wider geopolitical landscape will be closely watched and will shape the dynamics of the region for years to come.
0 Comments