Korea's abrupt about-face with Japan: Korea Herald editorial

South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks during a ceremony to mark the March First Independence Movement Day, the anniversary of the 1919 uprising against Japanese colonial rule in Seoul, South Korea,on March 1, 2021. - AP

SEOUL (The Korea Herald/ANN): In a move to perplex his supporters and critics alike, President Moon Jae-in has recently made an abrupt about-face in his stance on South Korea's strained ties with Japan.

He said Monday that his government was ready to talk with Tokyo on enhancing cooperation between the two neighbouring countries, separating efforts toward forging a future-oriented partnership from longstanding disputes over shared history.