Introduction
As the year 2023 unfolds, the global community continues to witness a historic inflection point. In the past three years, since 2020, the world has suffered innumerable political, social, economic, and complex security challenges. These include but are not limited to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia–Ukraine crisis, China’s increasing military assertiveness, the United States-China trade war, the nuclear threat on the Korean Peninsula, the conflict in the Middle East, the threat of terrorism, and the destabilisation of the global economy.
The Indo-Pacific region in particular has taken centre stage in this excessive upheaval shaped by the intricate entanglement of geopolitical competition, the addressing of peace, and challenges related to global commons such as climate change, global health, natural resources, and territorial boundaries in land, sea, and air.
In the backdrop of the increasing uncertainty in the current strategic environment resulting in a shifting balance of power, important regional stakeholders of the Indo-Pacific, such as India, Japan, and South Korea (Republic of Korea), are shedding their inhibitions to undertake proactive initiatives for securing peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. It is becoming more evident that the Indo-Pacific region requires these regional players to form a trilateral cooperation for sharing responsibility in reaffirming the rule of law, upholding the international order, securing territorial integrity, and ensuring an economic order that is free, fair, and just.
Japan and South Korea
The security environment surrounding the Korean Peninsula, which faces the existential threat from North Korea’s advancing nuclear capabilities and constant provocations, has shaped an unlikely security cooperation between South Korea and Japan. South Korea, or the Republic of Korea (ROK), which has a complicated past with Japan, began a more pragmatic approach towards Tokyo after the election of President Yoon Suk-yeol in May 2022.
On 6 March 2023, under the blueprint of a more “future-oriented approach”,[i] ROK extended an olive branch through a plan for resolving the historic dispute over compensating the Korean victims of Japan’s forced wartime labour.[ii] This unresolved issue had been a bone of contention ever since the 1965 “Agreement Between Japan and the Republic of Korea Concerning the Settlement of Problems in Regard to Property and Claims and Economic Cooperation”.[iii] As per the Treaty of 1965, Japan claimed to have settled all compensation through the agreed amount of $300 million in grants (non-repayable) and $200 million in long-term low-interest loans. However, in 2018, the Supreme Court of South Korea upheld a lower court ruling ordering Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation to compensate four South Korean citizens who were forced to work during the Second World War. This ruling came during the administration of former President Moon Jae-in when relations between the ROK and Japan were frosty.
Therefore, the announcement of the proposal by President Yoon Suk-yeol’s administration for a resolution to put an end to its wartime labour disputes with Japan came as an unprecedented step to improve relations between the two countries. The efforts in rapprochement from the ROK side had been duly noted by Japan, leading to a reciprocal announcement of a decision on 16 March 2023 to lift restrictions on the export of three-chip components to South Korea.[iv] Amid domestic backlash on the compensation plan, President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasised how the “future-oriented cooperation between South Korea and Japan will help defend freedom, peace, and prosperity not only in South Korea and Japan but also around the world”.[v]
Further on, as a sign of recalibration of ties and to mark a new chapter in relations for the future together, the first Japan-ROK Summit after a 12-year hiatus was held on 16 March 2023 in Tokyo, Japan.[vi] At the Summit meeting, the two leaders agreed on the resumption of “shuttle diplomacy”, Japan-ROK Security Dialogue, and the Japan-ROK Vice-Ministerial Strategic Dialogue, as well as an early restart of the Japan-ROK-China trilateral process at high level. Additionally, the two countries emphasised the importance of improving Japan-ROK-US trilateral security cooperation.
There was also agreement on launching bilateral consultations on economic security to resolve issues of supply chain and tackling leaks of sensitive technologies. In order to further improve relations, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida proposed invigorating people-to-people exchanges through supporting youth programmes such as the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS).
Regarding the severe security circumstances in the region due to North Korea’s recent intensification of nuclear and missile activities, the two countries exchanged views to promote strategic coordination. The leaders agreed to further advance the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US alliance and the ROK-US alliance.
Japan and ROK called for the need to work together with like-minded countries to uphold a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and maintain an international order based on the rule of law. The two leaders of Japan and ROK had exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine, asserting that any attempt at unilaterally changing the status quo by force should not be tolerated anywhere in the world, including East Asia.
India and South Korea
The year 2023 marks 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and South Korea. On this occasion, for the first time in five years, the Foreign Minister of ROK, Mr Park Jin, visited India from 7 to 8 April 2023.[vii] He held meetings with the Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, as well as the Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar. The visit highlighted the progress of bilateral relations and the increasing mutual desire to work closely to solidify and advance the Special Strategic Partnership. As per the official press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ROK, the aim of the visit was to forge strategic communication and cooperation in order to strengthen solidarity.[viii] In addition, the visit included broad agendas for expansion in trade and investment for supply chain cooperation, as well as cooperation in advanced technologies for the defence and space sectors. There was also a discussion on the Korean companies contributing to the “Make in India” policy, Foreign Minister Park Jin asked for Indian support to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries, including resolving difficulties faced by Korean companies.
As a sign of Seoul’s fresh perspective regarding New Delhi’s strategic significance, the new Indo-Pacific strategy unveiled by ROK on 28 December 2022, also called for the advancement of the Special Strategic Partnership between India and South Korea. For the South Asia region, ROK has revealed how it considers India as a leading regional partner with shared values.[ix] Seoul believes that India has a great potential for growth through its large working-age population as well as cutting-edge IT and space technologies. ROK has indicated that it wants to increase strategic communication and cooperation with India through high-level exchanges in foreign affairs and defence aspects. There is also a recommendation in the new Indo-Pacific document for upgrading the ROK-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to enhance bilateral relations. The importance of strategic cooperation between the two countries is also illustrated through the continuation of the fifth India-Korea Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue, held on 18 January 2023.[x] The meeting provides an avenue for the two countries to take overall stock of bilateral issues, explore ways to enhance substantive cooperation, and discuss major regional and global issues.
India and South Korea’s ties have been firm since the establishment of diplomatic relations. South Korea’s cultural and soft power diplomacy has had one of its most significant influences around the world as well as in India, as witnessed amongst the youth willing to embrace their language, food, culture, and pursue higher studies in ROK. During former President Moon Jae-in’s term, the New Southern Policy (NSP) of 2017 was introduced to elevate ROK’s relations with a primary focus on ASEAN and India in the political, economic, social, and cultural spheres.[xi] However, the lack of scope for security and defence cooperation was quite evident in the NSP.
India and Japan
India and Japan marked 70 years of establishing diplomatic relations in 2022. Over the past 70 years, the two countries have evolved in almost every scope of bilateral relations, extending from political to economic to security aspects. The India-Japan partnership, especially in the maritime security aspect, has been one of the main pillars of the evolving partnership. The bilateral ties have also witnessed an immense amount of investment from Japan towards India’s infrastructural development.
In the past two decades since 2000, Japan has placed substantial significance on its foreign policy approach focussing on India, especially with regard to the geostrategic framework of the Indo-Pacific. Tokyo has considered India, due to her strategic location and immense economic potential, a vital player in their concept of the FOIP. The 2007 speech of the late Shinzo Abe at the Indian Parliament earmarked the rise of the Indo-Pacific. Similarly, on 20 March 2023, to unveil the new plan for the future of the Indo-Pacific, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida chose India as the platform to present his upgraded policy vision.[xii] Herein, Prime Minister Kishida, while addressing the paradigm shifts in the international community, addressed the need for developing new pillars for the FOIP. He introduced four pillars, namely: (1) Principles for Peace and Rules for Prosperity; (2) Addressing Challenges in an Indo-Pacific Way; (3) Multi-layered Connectivity; and (4) Extending Efforts for Security and Safe Use of the “Sea” to the “Air”.
In order to promote cooperation for the FOIP, Prime Minister Kishida expounded the need to implement an optimal combination of various methods, including a strategic use of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). He also emphasised introducing a new framework for “private capital mobilization-type” grant aid to attract investments catering to each country’s infrastructural needs in the Indo-Pacific region by 2030. Apart from the ODA, on 5 April 2023, Japan’s National Security Council announced the adoption of “Implementation Guidelines for Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA)”.[xiii] Through the OSA, Japan is providing a new framework of cooperation for the benefit of armed forces and other related organisations of like-minded countries, as referred to in the new “National Security Strategy” approved by the Japanese Cabinet on 16 December 2022.[xiv] Japan is expected to utilise the new OSA to reinforce its comprehensive defence architecture and deepen security cooperation with like-minded countries, contributing to maintaining and strengthening international peace and security. As the Indo-Pacific region lies at the forefront of increasing geopolitical conflagrations, Japan would ideally align its OSA activities in the region and encourage India and South Korea’s cooperation.
Conclusion
Japan, India, and South Korea are now needed at the forefront of economic, political, and defence engagements as the centre of gravity rapidly shifts towards the Indo-Pacific. The rise of their economic prosperity and an even higher level of economic integration in the region have also increased their vulnerability to external shocks. The state of flux entails that the three countries cooperate in maintaining rule of law and order to ensure peace and stability, a goal that will become increasingly complex owing to global uncertainties.
The three countries must strengthen economic and security ties and develop a shared Indo-Pacific framework and approach to deal with the increasingly complex challenges. This includes fluctuations in exchange rates or energy prices and the need to develop a plan to mitigate the impact of such shocks. The three countries should also collaborate on the development of regional and global responses to climate change and other environmental threats. The trilateral cooperation would be required to ensure that the economic growth of the region is sustained and that the three countries are able to maintain their competitiveness in the global economy. As the three countries undertake more proactive approaches, their importance for maintaining international peace and security in the region will increase. The countries should also work to develop a collective approach to tackle transnational crime and terrorism through improved intelligence sharing and cooperation on law enforcement strategies.
In conclusion, the Indo-Pacific region is facing numerous challenges that require the three countries to work together. Through increased cooperation and collaboration, Japan, India, and South Korea can ensure that the region remains secure, prosperous, and stable in the face of global shocks and uncertainties.
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*Dr Tunchinmang Langel, Research Fellow, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal.
Endnotes
[i] Yonhap News Agency. 2022. “Yoon calls for future-oriented approach to S. Korea-Japan relations,” 28 March 2022, https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220328002951315 (Accessed on 6 April 2023).
[ii] Yonhap News Agency. 2023. “S. Korea offers compensation for forced labor victims via Seoul-based public foundation,” 6 March 2023, https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230306001752325 (Accessed on 6 April 2023).
[iii] United Nations. 1965. “Japan and Republic of Korea: Agreement on the settlement of problems concerning property and claims and on economic cooperation,” 22 June 1965, https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%20583/volume-583-I-8473-English.pdf (Accessed on 6 April 2023).
[iv] Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). 2023. “Japan-Korea Export Control Policy Dialogue Held,” 16 March 2023, https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2023/0316_001.html (Accessed on 5 April 2023).
[v] Yonhap News Agency. 2023. “Yoon says S. Korea sought solution to forced labor row in both countries' interests,” 7 March 2023, https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230307005800315 (Accessed on 31 March 2023).
[vi] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 2023. “Japan-ROK Summit Meeting,” 16 March 2023, https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/na/kr/page1e_000593.html (Accessed on 31 March 2023).
[vii] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ROK. 2023. “Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin visits India,” 8 April 2023. https://www.mofa.go.kr/www/brd/m_4076/view.do?seq=369904 (Accessed on 11 April 2023).
[viii] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ROK. 2023. “Press Release: Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin visits India,” 8 April 2023, https://www.mofa.go.kr/viewer/skin/doc.html?fn=20230408075233326.pdf&rs=/viewer/result/202304 (Accessed on 10 April 2023).
[ix] Tunchinmang Langel. 2023. “Deconstructing Republic of Korea’s (ROK) “Strategy for a Free, Peaceful and Prosperous Indo-Pacific,” 31 January 2023, https://icwa.in/show_content.php?lang=1&level=3&ls_id=8975&lid=5849 (Accessed on 10 April 2023).
[x] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ROK. 2023. “5th Korea-India Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue,” 18 January 2023, https://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/brd/m_5674/view.do?seq=320770 (Accessed on 11 April 2023).
[xi] Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies. 2020. “Presidential Committee on New Southern Policy,” February 2020, https://dkiapcss.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Republic_of_Korea-New_Southern_Policy_Information_Booklet.pdf (Accessed on 3 April 2023).
[xii] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 2023. “The Future of the Indo-Pacific-Japan’s New Plan for a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’-‘Together with India, as an Indispensable Partner’,”
20 March 2023, https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100477739.pdf (Accessed on 10 April 2023).
[xiii] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 2023. “Adoption of Implementation Guidelines for Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA),” 5 April 2023, https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press4e_003237.html (Accessed on 10 April 2023).
[xiv] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 2023. “Implementation Guidelines for Japan’s Official Security Assistance,” 5 April 2023, https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100487375.pdf (Accessed on 10 April 2023).