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US Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg speaks at a forum hosted by the Korean Women Journalists Association at the Korea Press Center on Feb. 1. (Yonhap)

The US ambassador to South Korea responded Monday to the South Korean government’s announcement of its official plan to resolve the issue of compensation for victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period by saying that he “welcomes today’s historic breakthrough in relations between the Republic of Korea and Japan.”

“The agreement to deal with a painful period in history advances trust and reconciliation between the two nations and reflects the tremendous dedication and commitment of President Yoon to working with Prime Minister Kishida to redefine the future of the ROK-Japan bilateral relationship,” Ambassador Philip Goldberg said in a statement published by the US Embassy in response to announcements by South Korea and Japan.

“We look forward to partnering even more closely with our steadfast allies to guarantee the security of the Korean and Japanese people, while working together to promote peace and shared values across the region and around the world.”

In a statement published at 11:30 am Monday outlining the Korean government’s position on the Supreme Court judgment in favor of the forced labor victims, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin officially announced the government’s plan for the Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilization by Imperial Japan, a body under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, to pay damages owed to the forced labor victims through voluntary donations from Korean companies, leaving Japanese companies out of the equation.

By Kwon Hyuk-chul, staff reporter

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