South Korea's relations with Japan, 1951 to 1987 : from hostility to accommodation

In the period immediately following World War 11, relations between South Korea and Japan changed drastically, from open hostility and bitterness to accommodation and cooperation. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relations between South Korea and Japan from 1951, the year diplomatic negotiations reopened, to 1987 to determine the factors that contributed to changing the relations from hostility to accommodation. The factors which effected relations between two countries include changing international political and economic relations as well as developments in the domestic political system of each country.

The study is divided into three historical periods. These are: (1) the rise of Korean hostility toward Japan (1910-1951), (2) negotiation and normalization (1951-1971), and (3) the worsening and subsequent improvement of relations (1971-1987). The conclusions sum up the reasons why the two countries sought to overcome their differences and reach the present state of accommodation.

The study concludes that three major factors contributed to accommodation between South Korea and Japan during the years 1951-1987. These factors are (1) generational shifts, (2) strategic interests, and (3) economic concerns. The study predicts that in the future South Korea and Japan will develop in accordance with developments in the security and economic interests of the two countries.