Japan-South Korea relations have improved dramatically since Seoul announced a plan to resolve the two countries' dispute over wartime labor a year ago, but it is unclear whether the better ties can be maintained as challenges over the matter remain.
The South Korean government said in March last year that a government-affiliated foundation would pay compensation to South Korean plaintiffs on behalf of Japanese companies sued over World War II-era labor, an effort to resolve the largest stumbling block to bilateral ties.
Soon after the announcement of the plan, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol made his first trip to Japan since he took office, for a summit with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The two leaders have met seven times in a year.
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