ABSTRACT
Territorial controversies and the fisheries issues were settled only after Kim Dae-jung was elected South Korean president. The Kim–Obuchi joint initiative marked a remarkable turning point in South Korea–Japan relations in that both parties agreed to open cultural doors to each other. United States (US) leaders were exasperated by worsening South Korea–Japan relations over the shared past, especially due to escalating North Korean military provocations. US leaders, directly or indirectly, delivered their concerns about Abe Shinzo's unnecessarily provocative actions and the necessity for restoring normal bilateral ties to cope with the North Korean threat. Abe had a successful Washington visit at the end of April 2015, signing new defense guidelines to facilitate US–Japan security cooperation. Abe's statement commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of the war followed by Park Geun-hye's visit to Beijing to attend events commemorating the end of World War II marked a turning point in bilateral relations.
