Why Historical Memories Endure: The Paradox and the Incomplete Triangle of International Reconciliation

Historical memory shapes individual and collective identities, with long-lasting effects on relations between countries. This study explores the enduring impact of historical memory on international relations, focusing on recent events in Northeast Asia, including the South Korean boycott of Japanese goods and the rise of anti-Japanese sentiment in China. Specifically, it investigates why collective memories, especially those related to past conflicts and atrocities, do not fade with time, but intensify sometimes, affecting diplomatic ties. The theoretical framework employs the “International Reconciliation Triangle,” encompassing legal, moral, and political processes. The study delves into the role of collective memory, intergenerational transmission, and the selective nature of collective forgetting. Moreover, it analyzes the complex interplay between legal mechanisms, moral acknowledgement, and political leadership in fostering or hindering reconciliation. The results have theoretical implications, as they challenge existing theories by examining the proactive role played by the younger generation in recent anti-Japanese movements. Additionally, they question the assumptions around the ease of reconciliation as collective memories fade.