The Northeast Asian History Foundation held a special lecture on Wednesday, April 8, at 2:00 p.m. in the Foundation’s conference room on the 11th floor, inviting Kang Chang-il, former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Japan and former member of the National Assembly, to speak on the theme, “How Have the Korean and Japanese Peoples Lived, and How Should They Live Together?” The lecture was organized to reflect on the historical relationship between Korea and Japan and to explore the direction of future-oriented Korea-Japan relations and peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia amid a changing international environment.

The lecture provided an opportunity to examine the relationship between the Korean and Japanese peoples within a broad historical context and to consider how the two countries should coexist in the future. It widely reviewed the exchanges and mutual influences that have continued since ancient times, the clashes and conflicts of modern and contemporary history, and the significance of these historical experiences for present-day Korea-Japan relations.

In particular, the significance of the lecture lay in the fact that it went beyond revisiting historical conflicts of the past and drew attention to the way Korea-Japan relations are changing in a more equal direction amid generational shifts and the growth of Korean society in recent years. Former Ambassador Kang Chang-il emphasized that the two sides should no longer remain bound by feelings of superiority or inferiority, but instead adopt an attitude of recognizing and respecting each other as independent others.

Following the lecture, participants engaged in a meaningful discussion, sharing diverse views on the desirable direction of Korea-Japan relations, historical awareness and attitudes of coexistence, and the tasks necessary for peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia.

This lecture was especially meaningful in that it not only reflected on the long history of exchange and conflict between Korea and Japan, but also offered an opportunity to think together about the direction the two countries should pursue amid a changing international environment. It also carried important significance in reaffirming the historical awareness and mutual respect needed for peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia, while exploring the possibilities for a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship.