Japanese Government and South Korea-Japan Director-General Level Talks: "Discussed Forced Labor Issue... Candid Exchange of Opinions"

Takizaki Kigeki, Director-General for Asia and Oceania at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is entering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 29th to attend the Korea-Japan director-general level diplomatic talks. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Japanese government announced that during the first face-to-face Korea-Japan diplomatic director-level talks in eight months, "frank exchanges of opinions" took place between the two countries regarding the issue of compensation for forced labor during the Japanese colonial period. On the morning of the same day, Takizaki Shigeki, Director of the Asia-Oceania Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Kim Jeong-han, Director of the Asia-Pacific Bureau of the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs building and held consultations for two hours.

Okada Naoki, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, reiterated at a press conference on the 29th that the South Korean Supreme Court's ruling on forced labor compensation is a clear violation of international law, explaining that "frank exchanges of opinions took place on all issues, including the problem of former workers from the Korean Peninsula."

He added, "It is deeply regrettable that two years have passed since the forced labor ruling without reaching a resolution," and stated, "We will continue to demand that South Korea promptly present a solution that Japan can accept."

In particular, it was reported that during this consultation, the Japanese side once again emphasized that the liquidation of Japanese companies' assets to compensate victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period would lead to a serious situation. Kyoto News reported that the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "The liquidation of Japanese companies' assets would cause a very serious situation and must be absolutely avoided," and reiterated the demand for an acceptable solution.