Japan has conveyed to the United States its objection to South Korea joining the Group of Seven summit. According to Kyodo News, Tokyo’s decision was based on Seoul’s differences in policy on North Korea and China, and over concerns that South Korea’s inclusion would lead to Japan losing its status as the only Asian country in the group.
Also read: Trump Postpones “Outdated” G7 Summit, Wants India and Others to Join
On May 30, US President Donald Trump delayed this year’s G7 summit, and said that he would add India, Australia, Russia, and South Korea to the currently “very outdated group” that did not truly represent “what’s going on in the world”. Tokyo’s concerns about Seoul’s inclusion were communicated to the US immediately after Trump broached the idea of expanding the list of attendees; however, the US responded by saying that the final call on the matter would rest with Trump.
The revelation is likely to upset South Korea, who welcomed Trump’s offer. The move could also further sour Japan-South Korea relations, which are already tense due to renewed disputes between the two nations over Japan’s actions during its colonial rule between 1910-45 over the Korean peninsula. Seoul has demanded that Tokyo pay reparations for atrocities committed during that time, but Japan argues that the issue was settled by the 1965 treaty, and that it has restored diplomatic ties between the two sides and provided more than $800m in Japanese financial help to South Korea. The resulting tensions have also clouded trade and security links for the US allies, who both face threats from North Korea and China.
According to reports, Japan justified its objections by pointing to the Moon administration’s apparently pro-China policy as problematic, while also highlighting its efforts to boost inter-Korean relations. On Sunday, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said that it was “important to keep the G7 framework itself” emphasizing that it was the consensus view.
It remains unclear whether the US is seeking to permanently expand the G7. Early this month, Trump was quoted telling South Korean President Moon Jae-in that he intended to invite Brazil as well, and expand the group to be called either the “G11” or “G12”.
While the holder of the rotating G7 presidency can decide which countries to invite as guests to the summit, changing the format of the group permanently would require the consent of all members. Japan has said that South Korea merely taking part in the summit would not be an issue.
Image Source: USNI News