Revisiting Japan-Korea Relations: Toward a New Era
Proposal for a Special Issue: Archiv Orientální (ArOr)
2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of both Japan’s defeat in the Pacific War and Korea’s liberation from Japan. While there have been much political and economic changes, the lingering effects of this historical trauma have yet to be fully resolved in both nations. It remains to be seen whether this date will mark a change in this bilateral relationship or whether old enmities will persist. At this juncture, new approaches will be needed to set a path toward a brighter future that respects the past but is not framed by it.
Navigating the complexities of Japan-Korea relations is a formidable task, given their deep historical roots dating back almost two thousand years and have been characterized by periods of both cultural exchange and political conflict. For example, Korea was crucial for the transmission of culture from the Asian Continent that has been the basis of Japan’s foundation and are still widely vibrant today while military conflicts between Japan and China have always been determined by which power controls the Korean Peninsula as witnessed with the Imjin War (1592-1598) and the Sino-Japanese War (1894). The Japanese annexation of Korea in the early twentieth century and the subsequent occupation until 1945 further underscores the complex nature of this relationship, shaped by politics, economy, society, culture, and their international expansion.
Despite the contrasting experiences between these two countries, negative perceptions stemming from these “memory wars” have persisted and have featured prominently. Such a magnification of the issues has placed this relationship in a precarious situation on numerous occasions. However, we should not forget that there have been several instances of cooperation and exchange aimed at healing historical wounds and fostering a positive future.
While the existing literature often focuses on the difficulties in Japan-Korea relations, few have provided solutions that can lead to meaningful contributions. Among those works that have undertaken such an approach, many are often scattered across various journals and are susceptible to misinterpretation based on the nationality of authors or journals. To overcome this, we propose a special issue that revisits Japan-Korea relations by focusing on innovative resolutions to the more complex issues in this bilateral relationship and consolidating these efforts to maximize impact. The choice of Archiv Orientální, based in Czechia at the heart of Europe, ensures a neutral perspective conducive to fostering a more nuanced understanding of Japan-Korea relations.
In advance of the poignant marking of 2025, this special issue seeks to lay a solid foundation for enhanced understanding and cooperation between Japan and Korea, thereby facilitating further positive academic endeavors. Such a work will attract a large readership including students, scholars, politicians, practitioners, and even the public in both Korea and Japan, as well as those who are interested in East Asia from a different perspective.
Guest Editors
- Jimmyn Parc, Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Malaya
- Kaori Kimura, Senior Lecturer, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Malaya
Publication Timeline
- Submission deadline for the proposal: May 19th, 2024
- Notification of acceptance: July 1, 2024
- Submission deadline for the entire collection: December 31, 2024
- Notification of acceptance of individual papers: May 30, 2025
- Submission deadline for revised manuscript: July 15, 2025
- Publication: December 2025
Submission
This special issue aims to establish a platform for the dissemination of groundbreaking and original research focused on the cultures, societies, and historical narratives of Japan and Korea, both past and present. We particularly encourage submissions that delve into various aspects such as history of economic relations, international diplomacy, linguistic studies, religious practices, and literary traditions within these regions. Articles based on archival evidence and a comprehensive analysis of primary and secondary sources are highly valued.
Distinguishing itself from conventional articles in the realms of social and political sciences, this special issue seeks to provide unique insights into the historical and cultural dynamics of Japan and Korea. By doing so, we aim to engage not only the academic community but also a broader readership with a keen interest in Japanese and Korean studies.
Please submit your abstract (300 words) and title with 3-5 keywords by April 15, 2024; jimmyn.parc@um.edu.my.
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