Understanding the Japan-ROK relationship and how to improve it

In episode four of 15 Minutes in Canberra, Senior Policy Fellow Hayley Channer interviews Dr Lauren Richardson - one of the region’s leading experts on Japan-South Korea relations. Lauren is a Lecturer in the Department of International Relations at the Australian National University where she teaches on the role of non-state actors in shaping diplomatic interactions in Northeast Asia.

Last week the US Secretaries of State and Defense conducted their first overseas visit, holding in-person diplomatic talks with Japan and South Korea. Outside of shoring up their alliances with these two countries, Secretaries Blinken and Austin would no doubt have been concerned with the issue of deteriorating Japan-South Korea bilateral relations.  
 
Join Lauren and Hayley to understand more about what’s driving conflict in the Japan-South Korea relationship, potential ways to reduce tensions, and whether there is anything Australia can do to improve the situation. Hayley and Lauren also touch on the Quad security dialogue and the likelihood of South Korea joining in some capacity in future.  
 
 

Click here to listen to episode one and here for episode two.