Rethinking the role of identity factors: The history problem and the Japan-South Korea security relationship in the post-Cold War period

Abstract

What explains the Japan-South Korea security relationship in the post-Cold War period? This article highlights the impact of the conflict and convergence of identity factors vis-à-vis external factors (such as the North Korean military threat, the regional presence of US forces, and growing Chinese power) to offer a more comprehensive explanation of the ebb and flow of security cooperation between Japan and South Korea. This article argues that in some cases, the identity factors affect security cooperation more than external strategic factors. Based on three in-depth case studies, the article provides an empirical examination of how identity factors have affected the overall pattern of Japan-South Korea security relations since the 1990s. The analysis will have important implications for our understanding of the role of identity factors between Japan and South Korea, as well as envisioning the possibilities of regional security cooperation in the future. © The Author 2105.