This paper, from a teleological perspective, purports to analyze the effect of the multilateral security cooperation on the promotion of inclusive (and not exclusive) Korea-Japan security cooperation. First, this paper examines (in)appropriateness of carelessly employed historical analogies in the analysis of the current Korea-Japan relations. Second, it discusses the five historical perspectives of Korea-Japan relations which have different Implications for continuity and change in the long history of Korea-Japan relations. Third, it examines what drives multilateral cooperation involving Korea and Japan in the post-Cold War era. Fourth, it analyzes the long-term advantages of the multilateral security cooperation involving Korea and Japan over the latter two states‘ bilateral security cooperation, or "pseudo-alliance" relationship, or collective defense. And it argues that the multilateral security cooperation (involving China), rather than trilateral security cooperation (among Korea, Japan, and the United States), promotes historical reconciliation in East Asia and will be helpful in establishing peace and stability in the region. This paper emphasizes the significance and necessity of energetic promotion of multilateral security cooperation that makes it possible for Korea-Japan cooperation to be "inclusive" rather "exclusive" in its nature. Unless Korea and Japan expand the scope of their security cooperation through multilateral security regimes, it is highly likely to stimulate the operation of security dilemma mechanism, making enemies of Russia and China. We should pay more attention to this delicate situation in East Asia. In this paper it is also mentioned (and urged) that the United States should take a more positive role in promoting historical reconciliation among neighboring states in East Asia and that Japan should consider "the paradoxical logic of strategy" if it really wants to promote its national prestige and to be respected by the neighbors. However, the Koreans should be also reminded of the same thing. It is not wise to overreact to the extremely conservative forces in Japan who rationalize the Japanese colonial rule over Korea or insist on Japan‘s sovereignty over Dokdo island. Such overreaction could blind the Koreans to the fact that there are varieties of views in the pluralistic society of Japan. Focusing on the particular voice alone could strain Korea-Japan relations unnecessarily and lead to “lose-lose” situation rather than “win-win” situation. The framework of multilateral security cooperation like OSCEA (Organization for Security and Cooperation in East Asia) can be useful in building confidence and abating tension because multilateral security cooperation diminishes security dilemma among all the members while bilateral alliance or collective defense feeds the tension continuously in the end. Multilateral approach will lead to the progress in Korea-Japan relations without (or with less) crises repeated.

This paper, from a teleological perspective, purports to analyze the effect of the multilateral security cooperation on the promotion of inclusive (and not exclusive) Korea-Japan security cooperation. First, this paper examines (in)appropriateness of carelessly employed historical analogies in the analysis of the current Korea-Japan relations. Second, it discusses the five historical perspectives of Korea-Japan relations which have different Implications for continuity and change in the long history of Korea-Japan relations. Third, it examines what drives multilateral cooperation involving Korea and Japan in the post-Cold War era. Fourth, it analyzes the long-term advantages of the multilateral security cooperation involving Korea and Japan over the latter two states‘ bilateral security cooperation, or "pseudo-alliance" relationship, or collective defense. And it argues that the multilateral security cooperation (involving China), rather than trilateral security cooperation (among Korea, Japan, and the United States), promotes historical reconciliation in East Asia and will be helpful in establishing peace and stability in the region. This paper emphasizes the significance and necessity of energetic promotion of multilateral security cooperation that makes it possible for Korea-Japan cooperation to be "inclusive" rather "exclusive" in its nature. Unless Korea and Japan expand the scope of their security cooperation through multilateral security regimes, it is highly likely to stimulate the operation of security dilemma mechanism, making enemies of Russia and China. We should pay more attention to this delicate situation in East Asia. In this paper it is also mentioned (and urged) that the United States should take a more positive role in promoting historical reconciliation among neighboring states in East Asia and that Japan should consider "the paradoxical logic of strategy" if it really wants to promote its national prestige and to be respected by the neighbors. However, the Koreans should be also reminded of the same thing. It is not wise to overreact to the extremely conservative forces in Japan who rationalize the Japanese colonial rule over Korea or insist on Japan‘s sovereignty over Dokdo island. Such overreaction could blind the Koreans to the fact that there are varieties of views in the pluralistic society of Japan. Focusing on the particular voice alone could strain Korea-Japan relations unnecessarily and lead to “lose-lose” situation rather than “win-win” situation. The framework of multilateral security cooperation like OSCEA (Organization for Security and Cooperation in East Asia) can be useful in building confidence and abating tension because multilateral security cooperation diminishes security dilemma among all the members while bilateral alliance or collective defense feeds the tension continuously in the end. Multilateral approach will lead to the progress in Korea-Japan relations without (or with less) crises repeated.

Korea-Japan relations, Multilateral security cooperation, Historical reconciliation, Inclusive security cooperation, Exclusive security cooperation