This session tries to reflect on the so-called two-track diplomacy toward Japan. The two-track diplomacy has originated from the 1998 Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi 21st century partnership declaration. As we are about to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the declaration, we need to reflexively reexamine the two-track diplomacy toward Japan.

In particular, this session tries to explore what will be the direction of the future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship and its more specific projects. In this vein, we will explore ways not only to develop a mature Korea-Japan relationship but also to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and regional cooperation in Northeast Asia.