SEOUL ¨C The geopolitical terrain in Northeast Asia is shifting, and, fortunately, the region¡¯s two great democracies, Japan and South Korea, are moving in a similar direction.
If prudent, strategic leadership prevails in both Tokyo and Seoul, the two countries¡¯ historical enmity may finally be consigned to the past, and security across the Indo-Pacific region will be enhanced.
The catalyst for reducing the bilateral diplomatic friction ¡ª a problem that dates to the pre-World War II era¨C was Yoon Suk-yeol¡¯s (no relation) as president of the Republic of Korea last May. With Yoon¡¯s arrival in the presidential office, the pursuit of a chimerical ¡°balance¡± in relations with China and the United States ¡ª previously a central focus of South Korea¡¯s foreign policy ¡ª has given way to a more clear-eyed assessment of the country¡¯s .
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