SEOUL--With relations with North Korea and Japan making headlines in the South Korean media, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is facing difficulties as he tries to navigate a diplomatic course.
SEOUL--With relations with North Korea and Japan making headlines in the South Korean media, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is facing difficulties as he tries to navigate a diplomatic course.
The government has put a major focus on improving relations with Japan. However, a cloud has now darkened bilateral relations, as the controversial Takeshima issue has again resurfaced. The group of islets, located in the sea of Japan and called Dokdo in South Korea, is claimed by both Japan and South Korea.
As for relations with North Korea, Seoul resumed talks with Pyongyang last month. Then, South Korean media began to point out that the government is changing its policy of not readily making concessions to its reclusive communist neighbor.
In addition, South Korean media claimed that Japan made provocations against South Korea in two consecutive days in relation to Dokdo.
On Aug. 1, three Japanese lawmakers of the largest opposition Liberal Democratic Party tried to visit Ulleungdo island near the Takeshima islets though they were denied entry into South Korea at Gimpo International Airport in Seoul.
On Aug. 2, the Japanese government issued its 2011 White Paper on Defense, which again mentioned Japan's territorial rights to Takeshima.
Chang Won-sam, director-general of the Northeast Asia Division of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, called Japanese minister Nobukatsu Kanehara in his office and protested against the contents of the white paper.
As for the Japanese lawmakers' attempt to visit the island near Takeshima in spite of Seoul's warning that it would not allow their entry into South Korea, a ministry spokesperson said at a regular news conference on Aug. 2, "Their attempt is a challenge to South Korea's law order."
Lee's government has placed importance on strengthening bilateral relations with Japan on the grounds that it will bring national benefits in both security and the economy.
However, the opportunity for improved relations has stalled each time the Takeshima controversy resurfaced when it was mentioned in the Japanese government screened school textbooks or released white papers. In such a situation, the three Japanese lawmakers' attempt surprised many South Koreans as it was regarded as Japan's first attempt to put Takeshima under its control by force.
"Though President Lee is patient, Japan should see the situations (in our country) closely," said an aide to Lee.
South Korean relations with North Korea cooled after Pyongyang's series of provocative military acts last year. In July, however, Seoul resumed negotiations between high-ranking officials of the two countries.
According to South Korean government sources, officials of the South Korean government did not demand in the talks that North Korea explicitly apologize for the provocations. However, the two sides failed to decide on dates for the next negotiations.
After the talks, South Korean media said the government changed its policy with Pyongyang. However, the government confirmed on July 26 that it will continue to pressure North Korea to apologize for the recent provocations.
"The South-North relations, including the apology issue, are linked to the denuclearization talks related to the six-party negotiations. If one of the two makes progress, it will make the other better," said a South Korean government official.
However, Pyongyang is also calmly analyzing the circumstances surrounding the Lee-led government. If Seoul tries to maintain a dialogue between two Koreas, there is the high probability that it cannot demand strongly that Pyongyang apologize.
Lee, who is being pulled between taking a firm stand and the reality of negotiating with the North, is likely to reshuffle part of his Cabinet in the near future. People are paying attention to his intended reshuffle in regard to North Korea-related post appointments, including the minister of unification.