Cultural Connectivity and the Sustainability of Korea–Japan Cooperation

By: ,

March 6, 2026

Cultural Connectivity and the Sustainability of Korea–Japan Cooperation
Cultural Connectivity and the Sustainability of Korea–Japan Cooperation

Volume 24

Abstract: This study examines the role of cultural connectivity in the evolving dynamics of Korea–Japan relations. Since the dramatic downturn in 2019—the worst since the 1965 normalization— there has been a significant shift. In the post-COVID era, the expansion of cultural exchanges, driven by Gen-Z influence and rising consumption of cultural content, has redefined this relationship. This is evident in the growing prominence of Korean culture in Japan, increased Japanese tourism among Koreans, and the shift from a hierarchical to a more symmetrical relationship. Through this lens, we explore how shared values bolster cooperation and how strengthening cultural ties foster a more sustainable future.

Keywords: Korea-Japan Relations, Sustainability, Resilience, Cultural Connectivity, Post-COVID 19

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Volume 24

About the author:

Seunghee Oh is an assistant professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. She previously served as a research professor at the Institute for Japanese Studies at Seoul National University and Korea University, as well as a principal researcher at the East Asia Institute. She has also lectured at Ewha Womans University, Korea University, and the Catholic University of Korea. Her research focuses on Sino–Japanese relations, Japan’s foreign policy, and international relations in Northeast Asia. She is the author of Struggle for Recognition in East Asia (Seoul National University Press, 2023) and “From the Only A-Bombed Country to Global Peace Advocate: Japan’s Diplomatic Identity Change in the Struggle for Recognition” (Korean Journal of International Studies, 2024), among other works.

Jahyun Chun is a professor in the Department of International Relations at Yonsei University, Mirae Campus. Her research focuses on international reconciliation, national identity, and foreign policy decision-making in East Asia, with a particular emphasis on the role of historical memory and collective trauma. She is the editor of the Journal of Regional Studies and Development. Chun’s recent work, published in leading journals such as Pacific Affairs, International Relations, and Policy Studies, includes “Understanding Mistrust and Instability in East Asia” (2022), “Varieties of International Reconciliation” (2022), and “Who Decides Foreign Policy? The Role of National Trauma in Shaping the Influence of Public Opinion in South Korea” (2021). Her interdisciplinary approach bridges political science, history, and foreign policy to address complex issues of trust and memory in international politics.

Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus is a peer-reviewed publication, providing critical analysis of the forces shaping the Asia-Pacific and the world.

    About the author:

    Seunghee Oh is an assistant professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. She previously served as a research professor at the Institute for Japanese Studies at Seoul National University and Korea University, as well as a principal researcher at the East Asia Institute. She has also lectured at Ewha Womans University, Korea University, and the Catholic University of Korea. Her research focuses on Sino–Japanese relations, Japan’s foreign policy, and international relations in Northeast Asia. She is the author of Struggle for Recognition in East Asia (Seoul National University Press, 2023) and “From the Only A-Bombed Country to Global Peace Advocate: Japan’s Diplomatic Identity Change in the Struggle for Recognition” (Korean Journal of International Studies, 2024), among other works.

    Jahyun Chun is a professor in the Department of International Relations at Yonsei University, Mirae Campus. Her research focuses on international reconciliation, national identity, and foreign policy decision-making in East Asia, with a particular emphasis on the role of historical memory and collective trauma. She is the editor of the Journal of Regional Studies and Development. Chun’s recent work, published in leading journals such as Pacific Affairs, International Relations, and Policy Studies, includes “Understanding Mistrust and Instability in East Asia” (2022), “Varieties of International Reconciliation” (2022), and “Who Decides Foreign Policy? The Role of National Trauma in Shaping the Influence of Public Opinion in South Korea” (2021). Her interdisciplinary approach bridges political science, history, and foreign policy to address complex issues of trust and memory in international politics.