Photo/Illutration Protesters hold candles during a candlelight vigil against South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul on Dec. 4. (AP Photo)

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's unexpected declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 has cast a shadow over the significant progress made in Japan-South Korea relations with the support of the United States.

Although Yoon lifted the state of emergency order just hours later, the move has left Japanese officials scrambling to re-evaluate their engagement with Seoul.

“We must closely monitor the situation and make appropriate judgments,” Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said during a parliamentary session on Dec. 4, unable to elaborate further.

Ongoing plans for a summit between Ishiba and Yoon in January are now in jeopardy.

"Given the current situation, it's difficult to proceed with the plans. We don't even know if Yoon's administration will still be in power a month from now," said a close aide to the prime minister.

The aide expressed frustration over the setback, noting the considerable progress made during the two recent meetings between the leaders.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula has been marked by unexpected developments, including North Korea's recent deployment of troops to Russia. The latest emergency declaration further adds to the unpredictability of the region.

A senior Japanese diplomat admitted not having anticipated such a controversial and sudden move from Seoul.

A planned visit to South Korea by Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani is also now in doubt.

"I am deeply shocked by this news," said Nakatani.

The upcoming change in U.S. leadership is also clouding the outlook for Japan-South Korea relations, as President Joe Biden played a key role in improving strained ties between the two Asian neighbors.

Last year, Biden hosted Yoon and then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida near Washington in the first trilateral summit outside of a multilateral setting.

The potential diplomatic unpredictability under Donald Trump's incoming administration could undo significant progress made in Japan-South Korea relations under Kishida’s government.

Kishida, who warned that East Asia could become the next Ukraine, committed to regional security by strengthening ties between Japan and South Korea, two key U.S. allies in the region.

Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea, with various celebratory events planned.

"We cannot let this special year be a step backward for the two countries," said a Foreign Ministry official.

However, the future of bilateral ties remains uncertain, with South Korea's domestic politics in turmoil and shifting U.S. diplomatic policies further complicating the regional security landscape.

"Next year is going to be a very challenging one," said another ministry official.

(This article was written by Nen Satomi, Shino Matsuyama and Kohei Morioka.)

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