Diplomatic Spat With Japan

South Korea’s frosty relationship with Japan could, conceivably, become a serious impediment to diplomacy if South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun continues to brandish anti-Japan rhetoric. In April, South Korea lodged a formal protest over an alleged Japanese government report that claimed President Roh is fostering poor relations with Tokyo in order to boost his approval ratings at home. Roh seems unlikely to reduce the volume of his anti-Japan bluster. But on recent evidence there is unlikely to be any harmful effect on joint diplomacy.

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