Recently, various media have taken up the issue of Japan and South Korea, and the word "Japan-Korea Basic Treaty" that I often hear at this time. I know the fact that the treaty was signed, but I'm not the only one who doesn't understand the actual content.
Looking at the Japan-Korea issue today, I think that the view of the Japan-Korea Basic Treaty will change a little if we understand the relationship between Japan and South Korea after the war.
Therefore, this " Japan-Korea Basic Treaty I would like to introduce in a simple and easy-to-understand manner the background leading up to the conclusion of the treaty, the content of the treaty, and its subsequent impact.
What is the Japan-Korea Basic Treaty?
This treaty has a formal name [ Treaty on basic relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea ], 1965 (Showa 40) It was tied between Japan and Korea.
After the conclusion of this treaty, diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea were normalized.
Under the Japan-Korea Basic Treaty, all treaties and agreements signed between Japan and South Korea before August 22, 1910 are invalid, and the Korean government is the only legal country on the Korean Peninsula. Was confirmed.
In addition, in line with the conclusion of the treaty, Japan will abandon the infrastructure, assets, and rights that Japan built during the rule of the Korean Peninsula, and will provide a huge amount of funds to South Korea, allowing Japan to provide economic cooperation to South Korea and between Japan and South Korea. The final settlement of the claim right was agreed upon.
Background to the conclusion of the Japan-Korea Basic Treaty
August 22, 1910 At that time, Japan annexed the Korean Peninsula, including South Korea, and ruled the colony. However, he was defeated in World War II and August 1945 . By accepting the Potsdam Declaration, Japan's rule on the Korean Peninsula will come to an end.
After that, the Korean Peninsula was 38 degrees north latitude . The Soviet Union occupies the northern part and the United States occupies the southern part.
1950 In 1953, as a result of the intensified conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States, the outbreak of the Korean War, and the battle between the East and West camps. An armistice agreement has been signed in Japan, and it continues to this day. In other words, the war is just a truce, not an end.
It's actually over, but it's not officially over.
1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty Was signed, and when Japan's sovereignty was restored, negotiations began to normalize diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea. This negotiation has problems such as postwar compensation such as compensation and historical awareness, and it has become a negotiation that often conflicts with opinions.
1961 When the Park Chung-hee administration was inaugurated in South Korea, negotiations with Japan began in earnest.
President Park Chung-hee emphasized the economic development of South Korea and considered withdrawing a large amount of funds from Japan for postwar compensation. Against this background, 1965 Will lead to the conclusion of the Japan-Korea Basic Treaty.
Main contents of the Japan-Korea Basic Treaty
1965 as a result of rigorous negotiations Japan-Korea Basic Treaty Has been signed.
The Japan-Korea Basic Treaty consists of seven articles.
- Article 1 ... Establish consulates in both countries and dispatch diplomats together.
- Article 2 ... It is confirmed that the treaties and agreements concluded between the two countries before August 22, 1910 are no longer valid.
- Article 3 ... The Republic of Korea is confirmed to be the only legitimate government in Korea, as set forth in UN General Assembly Resolution 195.
- Article 4 ... The two countries shall guide the principles of the Charter of the United Nations in their mutual relations, and in promoting their mutual welfare and common interests, the Charter of the United Nations We shall cooperate in conformity with the principles.
- Article 5 ... As long as negotiations to conclude a treaty or agreement are feasible in order to lay its trade, shipping and other trade relations on a stable and friendly basis. It shall start promptly.
- Article 6 ... Negotiations to conclude an agreement on civil air transport shall begin as soon as possible.
- Article 7 ... This treaty must be ratified. The instrument of ratification shall be exchanged in Seoul as soon as possible. This condition takes effect on the day of the exchange of instruments of ratification.
As evidence of the above, each plenipotentiary member signed and signed this Convention.
I will explain a little.
Article 1 states that consulates have been set up in both Japan and South Korea at designated locations and that diplomatic relations have been established.
Article 2 confirms that all treaties and agreements concluded between the two countries prior to the annexation of Korea by Japan will be invalid.
There seems to be some criticism in this article, and some say that the word "invalid" in the text can be taken to mean that past Japanese rule was legally carried out, obscuring Japan's responsibility.
At first glance, Article 3 confirms that North Korea is not recognized as a legal government and that South Korea is the only legal government on the Korean Peninsula, but the Japan-Korea Basic Treaty states that the military demarcation line is 38 degrees north latitude. The parliamentary response states that it is effective only south of the line.
In short, it doesn't seem to mean that North Korea is not recognized as a legitimate government.
On the other hand, the South Korean side seems to recognize that North Korea is not recognized as a legal government, and there is a gap in the interpretation of Japan and South Korea here as well.
The following texts are about the logistics of both countries and the traffic of people, and at the end, it says that we should promptly implement this treaty and write each other in writing.
With the conclusion of this Japan-Korea Basic Treaty, [ Agreement between Japan and the Republic of Korea on the resolution of property and claim issues and economic cooperation ] Was exchanged between the two countries.
This is abandoning all of the capital that Japan has invested in the Korean Peninsula and the personal property of the Japanese . And aid about $ 1.1 billion in grants and loans Then, confirm that the issue of claims between Japan and South Korea and the people has been completely and finally resolved . doing.
Impact of the conclusion of the Japan-Korea Basic Treaty
Korea's economic development
It was stipulated that the use of the approximately $ 1.1 billion grant and loan funds provided by Japan to South Korea would not be useful for the development of the Korean economy.
The Korean government has stated that it will provide personal compensation to the bereaved families of those who have been recruited to Japan as military personnel or workers during negotiations with Japan, but most of the funds are in South Korea. It was used for infrastructure development and investment in companies.
This caused economic development to the extent that it was called the miracle of the Han River.
Development to the claim issue
With the conclusion of the Japan-Korea Basic Treaty, it was confirmed that the issue of claims between Japan and South Korea and between the people was completely and finally resolved, but the Korean government and the Korean media have confirmed this fact. It seems that he did not actively inform the public.
Therefore, in South Korea, even after the normalization of diplomatic relations, the lawsuits and protests against Japan have continued to seek compensation for Japan.