(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Oct. 2)

After nearly four decades, Korea and Japan held the sixth round of working-level talks regarding a significant bilateral agreement aimed at jointly developing a continental shelf believed to contain potential oil and other natural resources.

The latest discussions for the Joint Development Zone (JDZ) agreement took place in Tokyo on Friday, with Seoul saying “broad discussions” were held with Japan. The lengthy delay before this meeting is noteworthy. The fifth round of talks took place in 1985 – 39 years ago – but progress stalled as Japan raised concerns about economic viability. This extended gap underscores the challenges in effectively implementing the bilateral agreement, which both sides need to address in detail before next year.

Among the sensitive issues surrounding the JDZ agreement is timing. By next June, both countries have the option to either declare its termination or let it run through its 50-year validity. If the pact remains in effect through 2028, it will be automatically renewed.

The
Japanese stance to date indicates a possibility that Tokyo may choose to terminate the current agreement and renegotiate a new one. In contrast, the Seoul government’s position reportedly favors extending the agreement while assessing its economic viability through further joint exploration. As bilateral ties continue to strengthen recently, and with the new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in office, both countries should seek a balanced approach that addresses their mutual interests.

Seoul and Tokyo reached the Korea-Japan Continental Shelf Agreement in 1974, and it came into effect four years later. Several geographical surveys have indicated significant energy potential of the continental shelf referred to as the “Block 7.” The JDZ covers about 82,557 square meters of area, including the Block 7 and nearby waters south of Jeju Island and west of Japan’s Kyushu Island. Seoul’s enthusiasm for the pact is evident, as attested by a popular song titled “Block 7.”

However, since the signing of the agreement, the
re have been several explorations but negotiations have stalled. Japan has raised concerns about the agreement’s viability and has been lukewarm in its discussions. The prevailing interpretation of Japan’s reluctance is largely attributed to changes in international maritime law since the agreement was established. At the time of the agreement, international maritime law was primarily governed by the natural prolongation theory of the continental shelf, which was advantageous for Seoul. However, in 1982, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea introduced the median line principle, which determines jurisdiction over the continental shelf based on distance. This shift favors Tokyo, as it places most of the JDZ within Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

We hope the government is well-prepared to address the anticipated responses from Tokyo. Both Seoul and Tokyo need to pursue a win-win approach by resuming joint exploration to assess the economic viability of the JDZ and subsequently extending the agre
ement. The continental shelf in question is located in the East China Sea, an area where China asserts that much of the JDZ is within its jurisdiction. In fact, in 2008, as China began producing natural gas offshore from fields near the JDZ, Japan signed a joint development agreement with China. If Japan were to terminate the deal, other contentious issues regarding the JDZ and its implications for the exclusive economic zones of neighboring countries could come to the forefront.

The demand for energy reserves remains a top priority for both nations, and Seoul’s stance on extending the agreement seems relevant this time.

Korea and Japan will celebrate 60 years of bilateral ties next year. Under President Yoon Suk Yeol, the relationship has taken a forward-looking approach and extending the bilateral joint development agreement aligns with this perspective. Seoul and Tokyo should negotiate a sustainable solution grounded in general principles and precedents of international law to serve the national interest
s of both countries.

Source: Yonhap News Agency