In 2013 and in cooperation with Genron NPO(言論NPO), a Japanese civilian think tank, the East Asia Institute established a new civilian dialogue called the “Korea-Japan Future Dialogue." This dialogue was initiated in order to try and find an understanding of the cognition gap between the citizens of both countries. It aims to objectively examine the cause, and discuss civilian cooperation methods for the improvement of Korea-Japan relations through regularly carrying out a Korea-Japan joint public opinion survey and publishing the results every year. The results of the survey were used during the Korea-Japan Future Dialogue conference to devise a specific solution through the in-depth examination of issues via discussion by civilian experts of both countries. Additionally, key issues that stood out for both countries during the international press conference were debated during the terms of the “Korea-Japan Future Dialogue." It aims to be a channel for civilian dialogue among politicians, businessmen, scholars, artists, and media figures alike. Following the 1st dialogue held in Tokyo last year, the Korea-Japan Future Dialogue will be held in Seoul and Tokyo, alternately, every year. Therefore the 2nd Korea-Japan Future Dialogue was hosted at the Westin Chosun Hotel, Seoul, July 18th, at which 27 experts of Korea and Japan were in attendance. These experts voiced their opinions regarding the future and possible improvement pathways for Korea-Japan relations.

 

Hosted by East Asia InstituteㆍThe Genron NPO

 

 

Program

 

 

 

[Closed Session]

 

10:00~10:20

Opening remarks
Sook-Jong Lee, President of EAI, Professor at Sungkyunkwan University
Yasushi Kudo, President of The Genron NPO
 

10:20~12:00 Session I "Toward the Success of Korea-Japan Future Dialogue"

Moderator
Kak-soo Shin, Chair of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy’s Center for International Law; Former Korean Ambassador to Japan
Kazuo Ogoura, Advisor of the Japan Foundation; Former Japanese Ambassador to Korea
 
12:00~13:30 Break
 

[Open Session]

 

13:30~13:40

Opening remarks
Young-Sun Ha, Chairman of EAI; Member of the Foreign Affairs and Security Advisory Group of the President of Korea

Kazuo Ogoura, Advisor of the Japan Foundation; Former Japanese Ambassador to Korea
 

13:40~15:00

Session II "Are Korea-Japan Relations on the Right Track?"

Moderator
Sook-Jong Lee, President of EAI; Professor at Sungkyunkwan University

Main Speaker
Yul Sohn, Dean and Professor at Yonsei University’s Graduate School of International Studies
Yoshihide Soeya, Professor of Law, Keio University

 

15:00~15:30 Break
 
15:30~17:00 Session III "Is There a Solution to Korea-Japan Relations?"

Moderator
Yasushi Kudo, President of The Genron NPO

Main Speaker
Jung Sunwoo, Head Editor of Chosun Ilbo International Department
Hiroshi Komatsu, Chief Editorial Writer of Mainichi Shimbun
 
17:00~17:30 Wrap-up and Q&A

 

 

Participants (in the Korean alphabet order)

 

Korea Japan

Se Yeon Kim, Member of the National Assembly of Korea (Saenury Party)
Young Hwan Kim, Member of the National Assembly of Korea (New Politics Alliance for Democracy Party)
Joon Kim, President of Kyungbang
Youngkyo Seo, Member of the National Assembly of Korea (New Politics Alliance for Democracy Party)
Jung Sunwoo, Head Editor of the Chosun Ilbo International Department
Yul Sohn, Dean and Professor at Yonsei University’s Graduate School of International Studies
Kak-soo Shin, Chair of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy's Center for International Law; Former Korean Ambassador to Japan
Young-hwan Oh, Editorial Writer of Joongang Ilbo
Tae-Kyu Oh, Head Editorial Writer of The Hankyoreh

Myung-Hwan Yu, Chairman of Daeyang Foundation; Former minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Sook-Jong Lee, President of EAI; Professor at Sungkyunkwan University
Young-Sun Ha, Chairman of EAI; Member of the Foreign Affairs and Security Advisory Group of the President of Korea
Ihk Pyo Hong, Member of the National Assembly of Korea (New Politics Alliance for Democracy Party)
Young-sik Hwang, Head Editorial Writer of Hankook Ilbo
In-Ja Hwang, Member of the National Assembly of Korea (Saenury Party)

Matsumoto Kenichi, Professor of Economics at Reitaku University; Critic
Takeaki Matsumoto, Member of the House of Representatives (Democratic Party of Japan); Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
Yoshihide Soeya, Professor of Law, Keio University
Ichiro Aisawa, Member of the House of Representatives (Liberal Democratic Party of Japan); Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
Kazuhiko Yamamoto, President and CEO of Mori Urban Planning Corporation
Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, Manga Artist; Professor at Kobe Design University
Kazuo Ogoura, Advisor of the Japan Foundation; Former Japanese Ambassador to Korea
Eri Ishikawa, Secretary General of Japan Association for Refugees
Soichi Tsukamoto, Chief of NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) Seoul Bureau
Yoriko Kawaguchi, Professor of Meiji University; Former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Former Environment Minister
Hiroshi Komatsu, Chief Editorial Writer of Mainichi Shimbun
Yasushi Kudo, President of The Genron NPO
Reiji Hiramatsu, Japanese-style painter; Chairman of Japan Artists Association, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major Project

Center for Japan Studies

Detailed Business

Redesigning Korea-Japan Relations

Korea-Japan Future Dialogue

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