Japan: "No Change in Position That South Korea Must Propose Solution to Forced Labor Issue"

Remarks by Representative Lee Nak-yeon: "I don't want to respond to each case"
Judicial procedures related to the South Korean Supreme Court ruling: "Clear violation of international law"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary reiterated the existing stance that South Korea must present a solution to resolve the forced labor issue during the Japanese colonial period, while declining to comment on the opinion of Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who said that the two countries could resolve the issue if there is will, sparking expected controversy. Given the difficulty in expecting a progressive stance from the Japanese government, the conflict between the two countries is expected to continue.

Katsunobu Kato (加藤勝信), Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, said at a press conference held at the Japanese Prime Minister's Official Residence on the 22nd, in response to a question about Lee's remarks the previous day, "As I have said before, the Korean Supreme Court ruling and related judicial procedures regarding former workers from the Korean Peninsula are a clear violation of international law," adding, "We are strongly demanding that the Korean side promptly present a solution acceptable to Japan, and there has been no change in that stance." He indicated that the Japanese government's position would not differ significantly from that of the previous Abe administration.

Regarding Lee's message that resolving the forced labor issue requires the will and cooperation of both South Korea and Japan, the Japanese government reaffirmed its position that South Korea must present a solution acceptable to Japan and made it clear that it has no plans to back down. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato drew a line by saying, "I would like to refrain from commenting on statements made by lawmakers from other countries."

Earlier, at a foreign press briefing held at the Korea Press Center the previous day, Lee stated, "If both countries have sincere will, the forced labor issue can be resolved without waiting until the Tokyo Olympics next year," adding, "It is also easiest and most reasonable to resolve the issues linked to this, such as the removal from the whitelist and the Korea-Japan military information protection agreement (GSOMIA), in an interconnected manner."