President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a farewell summit, Friday, as Kishida prepares to retire later this month. During the meeting, the leaders focused on strategies to ensure the sustainable advancement of bilateral relations. They agreed to continue building on the agreements made in previous summits and signed a deal to promote mutual cooperation for the efficient evacuation of their nationals from third countries in case of emergencies. Additionally, they agreed to streamline the pre-entry visa screening process to facilitate easier travel between the two countries.

"It is significant to maintain a positive momentum to advance the cooperation between Korea and Japan from a future perspective," Yoon said, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts toward that goal. He commended both leaders for their success in thawing bilateral relations that had been frozen for years.

Yoon, in particular, made bold concessions to Japan on sensitive issues such as the forced labor of Korean workers during World War II, even at the risk of losing public approval. Unfortunately, Japan has not reciprocated with appropriate measures. During the meeting, Kishida reiterated Japan's stance that the current administration maintains the position of previous governments on these historical issues with Korea. As a gesture of reconciliation, Japan provided the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a partial list of Korean workers who were aboard the Ukishima Maru naval transport vessel, which exploded and sank off Kyushu Prefecture in 1945 while repatriating Koreans from Japan.

Given the longstanding conflict over these sensitive issues, Japan's recent gesture can be interpreted as a sign of goodwill. However, it falls short of meeting the expectations of the Korean people. Kishida also did not use terms such as "apology" or "remorse" regarding Japan's past actions. Japan now faces a serious responsibility to address the concerns that Yoon has highlighted. This responsibility will likely fall to the next leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, who will be elected later this month.

We do not support any efforts by certain politicians to exploit anti-Japan sentiment for political gain. However, Japan must acknowledge that the persistent negative and unstable factors between Seoul and Tokyo largely stem from Japan's lack of sincerity in addressing historical issues.

The Yoon administration has been keen to repair strained relations with Japan over issues such as compensation for forced laborers and the UNESCO listing of the Sado mines, despite worsening domestic public sentiment. This effort is driven by the government's aim to strengthen ties with Japan and the United States as part of a broader strategy to enhance security amid escalating tensions in Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.

It is imperative for Seoul to strengthen its cooperation with Japan to effectively address the growing threat from North Korea. Additionally, solidifying this partnership is crucial for managing relations with China and enhancing global economic cooperation.

Seoul and Tokyo will mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations next year. Advancing mutual cooperation hinges on Japan's genuine commitment and the implementation of its pledges. In this context, the recent summit between Yoon and Kishida was not merely a farewell meeting; instead, it highlighted unresolved issues that both Korea and Japan must address moving forward.

The two nations are reportedly preparing a new joint declaration to mark the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, aiming to usher in a new era of cooperation. Rather than focusing on immediate gains, the government should consider how to lay the groundwork for sustainable growth in bilateral relations. Effective diplomacy requires public support and cannot succeed without it.