hankyoreh

The administration of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe finally made an official announcement of its plans to exercise the right to collective self-defense by altering the interpretation of the country’s Peace Constitution. This is an extremely dangerous action that represents an attempt to alter the security order in Northeast Asia that was established after World War II. As a country that suffered colonial occupation by Japan, South Korea has no choice but to express deep concern over Abe’s provocative security policy, which, in conjunction with historical revisionism, is undermining the security order in Northeast Asia.

Even more seriously, South Korea lacks any practical means of addressing Japan’s policy changes, and has no choice but to endure tremendous challenges related to diplomacy and security as a result. This is a time for everyone to recognize that the fate of the country is at stake if we fail to stay alert and react wisely.

The key proposal in a report released on May 15 by Abe’s advisory body on security policy is to neutralize Article 9 of Japan’s Peace Constitution, which has banned the use of arms outside of Japan, making it possible for Japan to intervene militarily in any international conflict.

A constitutional revision would be the most reliable method of accomplishing this, but this procedure is difficult since it requires securing the votes of two thirds of legislators in both houses of the Japanese Diet. With this in mind, the Abe administration is choosing to revise its interpretation of the constitution.

Of course, changing the interpretation of the constitution will not be easy either, because of the cautious stance of New Komeito, another political party in Abe’s coalition, and gradually increasing opposition from the public. But given Abe’s firm resolve, the weakness of organized opposition inside Japan, and, most importantly, the support of the US, which wants Japan to strengthen its military power in order to counter China, it may only be a matter of time before the changes are made.

That does not mean that we must watch helplessly as Abe moves forward with his reckless plan. The South Korean government is emphasizing that Japan needs South Korean permission before it exercises its right to collective self-defense in an area that falls under Korean sovereignty. But this is only what any sovereign state would say; it hardly qualifies as an adequate response to Japan’s stance toward the right to collective self-defense. The government must make an effort to prepare and implement response measures based on a realistic approach to security for each case in which Japan exercises the right to collective self-defense.

As long as Japan does not repent its past, the neighboring countries that suffered the brunt of Japan’s invasions and colonial occupation will be wary of Japan’s insistence on the right to collective self-defense. Japan needs to understand that, no matter how many distant countries welcome Japan’s military contributions, the plan is a bad one if its neighbors are opposed to it. In the present situation, for Japan to strengthen its military would increase the likelihood of an armed clash with China, potentially jeopardizing the peace of Northeast Asia. The South Korean government needs to aggressively express its opposition to actions that incite conflict in Northeast Asia.

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