Forced labor victims hope for renewed discussions between Seoul and Tokyo

Posted on : 2019-06-20 16:18 KST Modified on : 2019-06-20 16:18 KST
Civic groups and attorneys criticize lack of S. Korean government’s demand for apology
Forced labor victims and their families celebrate their victory in a lawsuit against Mitsubishi in a Supreme Court case on Nov. 29
Forced labor victims and their families celebrate their victory in a lawsuit against Mitsubishi in a Supreme Court case on Nov. 29

The South Korean government’s announcement of plans to use funding from South Korean and Japanese companies to compensate survivors of forced labor mobilization with finalized court rulings in their favor prompted the survivors’ legal representatives and support groups to express their hope that the two governments will now agree to proactive discussions to resolve the forced mobilization issue in light of the victims’ advanced age.

At the same time, they voiced concerns about the government’s omission of a reference to Japan “acknowledging the historical facts” and “offering a heartfelt apology.”

Soon after the announcement of the “South Korean government’s position on the forced mobilization rulings” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on June 19, a position was shared by the survivors’ legal representatives and the group Daegu Citizens’ Forum for Halmuni, the Center for Historical Truth and Justice, and the Association for Requesting Compensation for the Pacific War Victims.

“We hope that with this announcement, the two governments will actively take part in discussions to resolve the forced mobilization issue,” they said.

“Discussions need to be initiated between the victims and the Japanese companies, and could also take place in the process on the matter of compulsory execution of [the disposal of] the domestic assets of companies implicated in war crimes, which is currently under way,” they added.

The survivors’ legal representatives positively assessed the South Korean government’s official position statement as signaling a start toward full-scale bilateral discussions.

“The South Korean government’s communication of its position could be viewed positively as a preliminary measure toward initiating discussions between the two sides,” they said.

“In view of the considerable time that will be needed before discussions begin and a conclusion is reached, we may be able to consider the South Korean government’s position positively if an amount corresponding to the finalized ruling is first paid to victims by South Korean and Japanese companies, after which the two governments broaden the discussions into a comprehensive negotiation that includes the matter of other victims,” they added.

At the same time, they remarked on the government announcement’s absence of [any reference to] apologies by the Japanese government or businesses for the mobilization of forced labor during Japan’s colonial occupation of Korea. After previously stressing the need for Japan to acknowledge the labor mobilization as historical fact and offer a heartfelt apology, provide appropriate compensation and other restitution, and discuss commemoration of victims and historical education to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, the legal representatives commented that “none of that was reflected” in the government’s position statement.

“The 54 victims who recently filed additional legal action in Gwangju also placed a priority on Japan apologizing,” said Kim Jeong-hee, an attorney representing forced labor survivors in a case against Mitsubishi. “Compensation as such is not the purpose of the lawsuit.”

Questions were also raised about the South Korean government abruptly announcing its position without adequately communicating with the survivors and civic groups.

“The plan announced today required discussions with or consent from the victims to resolve the issue,” the legal representatives said.

“The government did not hold any formal opinion gathering procedures regarding the specific content with the victims, their legal team, or their support group,” they said.

By Jang Ye-ji and Ko Han-sol, staff reporters

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