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South Korean President Moon Jae-in gives his celebratory address honoring Korea’s Liberation Day at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan

In his congratulatory address on Aug. 15, the 74th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japan’s colonial occupation, South Korean President Moon Jae-in presented the vision of making Korea a “responsible economic powerhouse” and ushering in an age of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and of mutual cooperation in Northeast Asia. With South Korea-Japan relations in an abysmal state, it’s very timely for Moon to pledge to make South Korea an “unshakable” country. It was also reasonable of him to call on Japan to move down the path of amity and cooperation.

Moon should be praised for taking the high road in his speech, focusing not on anti-Japanese feelings but rather on ways to transcend South Korea’s dependence on Japan. That raises hopes that the door will open toward reconciliation and cooperation with Japan.

Rather than criticizing Japan directly, Moon opted to offer an indirect admonition. “We hope that Japan will play a leading role together [with us] in facilitating peace and prosperity in East Asia while it contemplates a past that brought misfortune to its neighboring countries,” Moon said, calling on Japan to show its sincerity about past issues. He also offered veiled criticism of Japan’s export controls with his remark, “A country that achieved growth first must not kick the ladder away while others are following in its footsteps.”

Significantly, Moon made clear that Seoul will fully cooperate with Tokyo in next year’s Summer Olympics. “Just as people around the world witnessed a ‘Peaceful Korean Peninsula’ at the Pyeongchang Olympics, I look forward to seeing the Tokyo Olympics become a source of hope for friendship and cooperation,” Moon said. On Liberation Day, Moon urged Japan to adopt a mature and sophisticated attitude; we hope that Japan will pay heed to his advice.

As part of Moon’s pledge to build “a nation that cannot be shaken,” he proposed that Korea should become a “responsible economic powerhouse” and “a bridge [. . .] in promoting peace and prosperity on the continent and out in the ocean” and called for unification and the establishment of a “peace economy.” Moon made clear his ambition to build “an economy that will never be shaken” by promoting a symbiotic relationship between workers and employers and between large conglomerates and smaller companies and by strengthening the competitiveness of the parts, materials, and equipment industry. Now is the time for all South Koreans to work together to realize Moon’s vision and find the silver lining in our economic conflict with Japan.

Also noteworthy is Moon’s expression of the specific timeline that he envisions for unification: “I pledge to solidify the foundation so that we can [. . .] stand tall in the world as one Korea by achieving peace and unification by 2045, which will mark the 100th anniversary of liberation.” Moon’s proposal for not only a “peace economy” but also unification essentially constitutes a long-term vision for “complete liberation.”

We also draw attention to the fact that Moon brought up several issues with North Korea in a roundabout way. He indirectly warned the North about its missile launches, which he described obliquely as “a series of worrying actions.” Moon added that “we possess defense capabilities that are even stronger,” leaving no doubt that South Korea has the ability to deter North Korean provocations.

Moon went on to say that “If there is dissatisfaction, it too should be raised and discussed at the negotiating table,” Moon went on to say, sending a measured but unmistakable message to the North, which has slandered Moon and the South Korean government while launching multiple missiles. North Korea needs to take Moon’s words to heart by engaging sincerely in dialogue while refraining from raising tensions.

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