Japan's rare absence from South Korea does not give in, why did Japan and South Korea turn their faces on the US turf?

China News Network, November 19 Comprehensive report that Japan and South Korea have long-standing disputes over the territorial claims of the disputed islands (Japan called Takeshima, South Korea called Dokdo), disrupting a joint press conference of the us, Japan, and South Korea vice foreign ministers originally scheduled to be held in Washington. South Korea said that it was "very rare" for Japan to miss a press conference due to territorial disputes, but still showed a "no concession" posture, the improvement of relations between the two countries is becoming more and more distant, and the tension between Japan and South Korea is also a challenge for the United States.

embarrassed!

Japan and South Korea are fighting to disrupt the US press conference

The joint press conference of the US,Us,Rik,ROK vice foreign ministers held in Washington, D.C., was scheduled to end on 17 July, and a joint press conference was scheduled for U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, Choi Jong-jian, first officer of the ROK Foreign Ministry, and Ken-leung Mori, vice minister of foreign affairs of Japan.

Sherman, however, faced the media alone at the news conference and told reporters that "as has been the case for some time now, some bilateral differences between Japan and South Korea are still continuing to be resolved." ”

She added, "One of the disagreements that had nothing to do with today's meeting led to a shift in the format of today's press conference." ”

Japan and South Korea later admitted that the absence of the press conference was the result of the ongoing controversy surrounding an island. South Korea currently controls the island group and calls it "Dokdo," while the Japanese government calls the islands "Takeshima" and considers them to be Japanese territory.

The recent clashes followed a visit to the disputed island by South Korea's national police chief Kim Chang-yong.

A spokesman for the Japanese Embassy in Washington said the islands were "undoubtedly part of Japan's inherent territory" and that Tokyo had protested the visit to Seoul. "Under such circumstances, we have decided that it is not appropriate to hold a joint press conference now," the spokesman said. ”

The first official of the South Korean Foreign Ministry later confirmed that Japanese officials did not attend the press conference because of "the visit of the director of our national police to Dokdo."

South Koreans boycott Japanese goods.

nervous!

Japan's "rare" absence South Korea will not budge

South Korea's Blue House said on the 18th that if the Japanese side is indeed absent from the joint press conference of the deputy foreign ministers of South Korea, the United States and Japan due to the recent visit of South Korean Police Agency Minister Kim Chang-yong to Dokdo, then this situation can be said to be "very rare".

Japan's Kyodo News Agency said that in the diplomatic occasions of Japan, the United States and South Korea, the Japanese side has always insisted on the issue of disputed islands that are not direct issues, which surprised the South Korean side. There are also opinions that Japan does not just regard landing on the island as a problem, but takes advantage of the ROK's landing on the island to burst out the dissatisfaction accumulated on the historical issue.

The analysis also said that South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Choi Yong-shan stressed at a regular press conference on the 18th that "Dokdo is obviously the inherent territory of South Korea." We will resolutely deal with Japan's improper claims," showing a gesture of not giving in.

Relations between Japan and South Korea have deteriorated over historical issues such as former conscripted laborers and former comfort women. In this situation, the issue of island sovereignty has rekindled, and the improvement of relations has become increasingly distant.

However, Japanese media said that although Cui Yongshan repeatedly advocated sovereignty over Dokdo, he also avoided criticism of the failure to hold a joint press conference due to Japan's intentions. The move is seen as intended to avoid further deterioration of Japan-South Korea relations.

Regarding the trilateral cooperation between Japan, the United States, and South Korea, he said that "the scope and depth will be expanded, and its positive development will be promoted in the future." Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroichi Matsuno also stressed: "For the sake of regional peace and stability, it is important to maintain the unity of Japan, the United States and South Korea." ”

Al Jazeera analysis said that for the United States, tensions between Japan and South Korea remain a challenge. The United States fears that any conflict between these two close Asian allies will have consequences.

Source: China News Network