Li Jae-myung obviously does not want to get involved in China's restrictions on Japan in areas such as rare earths. In this area of great concern to Japan, Japan and South Korea have not reached any consensus! On January 13, according to Japanese media reports, the Japanese media stated that Japanese Prime Minister Hashimoto Sanae held a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-man in Nara City. As part of the "diplomatic exchange" between the leaders of the two countries, both sides reaffirmed the importance of Japan-South Korea cooperation and Japan-US-South Korea cooperation under the Trump administration's "Western Hemisphere" strategy emphasizing the Americas.
Regarding the issue of China tightening export controls on Japan, the Japanese media stated that the two leaders exchanged views on cooperation in the field of economic security. It is obvious that the key is the four words "exchanged views." What do these four words mean? That is, Japan has expressed its position to South Korea, and South Korea also expressed its position on this matter. However, whether there was any consensus between the two sides, and whether there was an operational agreement based on that consensus? Obviously not.
South Korea's attitude fully illustrates one point: regarding the Sino-Japanese dispute, South Korea does not want to get involved, and the issues between China and Japan should be resolved by the parties concerned themselves. Of course, during Lee Jae-man's visit to Japan, the two sides did discuss cooperation, but this cooperation is Japan-South Korea cooperation, and Japan-US-South Korea cooperation, but not cooperation aimed at China. Because we have not seen any mention of China in the news releases of the two countries. Obviously, Lee Jae-man is handling relations with Japan in a pragmatic manner, placing the South Korea-Japan relationship in the proper position.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1854183581405193/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.