Regarding the possibility of President Yoon Seok-yeol’s visit to Japan and the possibility of a summit on the 16th and 17th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “Nothing has been decided yet regarding the visit of our President to Japan between Korea and Japan.” He also said, “It is not something that can be requested” regarding the request for participation in reparations by Japanese war criminal companies.
In a regular briefing on the 7th, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lim Soo-seok said, “Relevant foundations (Support Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilization by Japan) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted the victims to explain in detail the government’s position and progress so far, We will make efforts to help them understand and seek their consent with sincerity.”
The government is communicating with most of the 15 victims who received a final judgment, but it is known that two of them are still trying to find a way to communicate because there is no contact information for victim support groups or lawsuit lawyers.
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with reporters that day and said that the government’s position announcement the day before was not the result of negotiations with Japan, but that “our government took the lead in announcing an independent solution.”
Regarding the comparison of the comfort women agreement in 2015 with this announcement, some pointed out that it was different from the discussions with Japan at the government level regarding the 2018 Supreme Court ruling on the payment of money, emphasizing that they “do not agree.”
An official said, “Looking at the Japanese government’s declaration that it would succeed the Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration, I don’t think there has ever been such a comprehensive and milestone declaration in the history of Korea and Japan.” It contains the contents of an apology, and the succession itself can be seen as an expression of an apology for the entire colonial rule.”
When asked if there was a plan to request an apology or compensation from the Japanese defendant company, he replied, “The Japanese side’s contribution is a voluntary contribution, and it is not something that can be requested.”
An official explained that discussions at the deputy foreign minister level could be put into operation as much as possible, depending on Japan’s response the day before.
Regarding the possibility of normalization of the Korea-Japan Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA, GSOMIA), he said, “GSOMIA is already operating normally,” and “only legal suspension notices or changes in legal nature remain.”
On the other hand, when asked if Japanese defendant companies were included in the fundraising through the foundation, the official said, “We see it that way,” leaving the possibility open. It is interpreted to mean that the defendant company can voluntarily participate in not only the youth fund of the Federation of Korean Industries and Keidanren, but also the foundation that is the subject of compensation. However, as the defendant company is denying responsibility for compensation itself by citing the ‘Korea-Japan Claims Settlement Agreement’, participation in the foundation fund seems virtually difficult.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.