Kishida-Yoon summit will boost trade and security ties

Significance

South Korea’s opposition party denounced this as a betrayal. Japan made no fresh apology for its pre-1945 colonial rule of Korea and will not compensate victims. Most South Koreans oppose the deal, so President Yoon Suk-yeol’s bold rapprochement faces an uphill battle at home.

Impacts

• Yoon has not prepared public opinion in South Korea, and the backlash against his unpopular moves could eventually undo them.
• The main opposition will use its control of parliament to harry Yoon, but may be weakened by its leader's indictment on corruption charges.
• Ending export curbs will directly help South Korea’s beleaguered chipmakers in a difficult global market.