S. Korean victims of Japan forced labor continue to condemn Seoul’s compensation plan
By Ana Yoo
A number of wartime forced labor victims continue to condemn South Korean officials’ plan to provide compensation through a domestic fund rather than seeking reparations from Japan.
The victims, who have been critical of the government since it revealed a compensation plan last month, now accuse officials of rushing the process to ease diplomatic concerns with Japan amid tense political relations between the two countries.
The compensation plan was initially released by Seoul’s Foreign Ministry earlier this year and laid out plans to pay victims with contributions made by South Korean companies. The announcement sparked immediate outrage from the victims, who demanded that reparations be paid by the Japanese corporations that forced them to work.
This latest development comes after years of legal battles involving South Korean victims, who have sought compensation for their forced labor during Japanese colonial rule over 70 years ago.
In a 2018 landmark decision, South Korea’s Supreme Court ordered two Japanese corporations, Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, to pay each victim between 100-150 million won (approximately $78,000-$116,000).
However, both companies have refused to comply with the court’s orders, and the plaintiffs have yet to receive any form of reparations.
Relations between the two nations have remained strained since the 2018 ruling. Japan has contended that a 1965 agreement between Tokyo and Seoul settled the matter of forced labor compensation. The agreement saw a payment of around $500 million in grants and loans.
The recent move by South Korean government officials to raise funds through a domestic foundation has prompted some of the victims’ legal representatives to speak on the matter.
Attorney Lim Jae-sung, who represents several of the victims and has previously spoken against the government’s actions, continued to criticize South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and his office for expediting the compensation process in an attempt to normalize relations with Japan.
Lim said that lawyers for the victims will continue to fight against any domestic payouts on behalf of the Japanese firms on grounds of invalidity.
He also added that any payment must include an apology to the victims and their families, citing a similar case where a Japanese firm, Nishimatsu Construction, issued an apology and agreed to a settlement involving five Chinese forced laborers.
Yang Geum-deok, who was forced to work for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at the age of 14, said she will not accept money without an apology.
“I worked my butt off there but came home without receiving a penny or any apology,” she said. “I want an apology before I die.”
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