Suga, Japanese Prime Minister, Strongly Demands "Appropriate Response from Han" on Forced Labor Compensation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga (pictured) emphasized his firm stance on issues related to compensation for forced labor victims in his first parliamentary speech.

In his first policy speech since taking office on the 26th, Prime Minister Suga stated regarding South Korea, "We must restore a healthy Japan-Korea relationship, and I will strongly demand appropriate responses based on our country's (Japan's) consistent position." This reiterated the existing policy that the rulings on forced labor compensation violate international law and that South Korea must propose a solution.

Prime Minister Suga has argued that the South Korean Supreme Court's decision in favor of the plaintiffs in the damages lawsuit against Nippon Steel Corporation (formerly Shin Nippon Steel) by forced labor victims contradicts the 1965 Japan-Korea Claims Agreement. He has also suggested that if Nippon Steel's assets in South Korea are liquidated, Japan may take retaliatory measures against South Korea.

On this day, Prime Minister Suga also referred to South Korea as an "extremely important neighboring country." However, some analysts interpret this as a downgrade in meaning and value compared to former Prime Minister Abe's description of South Korea as a "very important neighboring country sharing fundamental values and interests."