ABSTRACT
Why do political animosities persist despite the economic dynamism and growing interdependence in Northeast Asia? Once South Korean President Park Geun-hye called such problematic situations in this region the “Asian Paradox.” The growing tensions and distrust between Japan and South Korea are well-known and one of the most typical examples of this paradox, and so scholars have discussed the reasons. For example, some pointed out the importance of roles of development of civil societies and democratization in South Korea, and others criticized the behaviors of political leaders mobilizing nationalistic sentiments to obtain additional support from the public, both in Japan and South Korea. However, is the situation in the region really so unique and different from other regions? This chapter analyzes the relationship between Japan and South Korea historically and insists that the growing tensions between the two nations are never a paradox but rather a typical outcome of globalization because globalization inevitably decreases the importance of neighboring countries by its own definition. In other words, political animosities between Japan and South Korea persist despite the economic dynamism and growing interdependence. It persists because the economic dynamism damaged their old interdependence which tethered the relationship.
