Japan Asahi, "Korean Government May Compensate for Forced Labor Lawsuits Instead of Japanese Companies"

Claims to Seek Improved Relations Ahead of Tokyo Olympics
Possibility Raised of Also Using It for Inter-Korean Relations Improvement

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] Regarding the compensation issue for forced laborers during the Japanese colonial period, the Japanese Asahi Shimbun reported that the South Korean government may make a decision to nullify the enforcement of the ruling by paying the compensation amount instead of the Japanese companies sued as defendants. It is claimed that through this, the South Korean government may directly engage in communication between the two countries.

On the 30th, Yoshihiro Makino, an editorial board member of Asahi Shimbun, wrote in an editorial titled "Moon Government's Decision, Trust is the Key" that regarding the forced labor lawsuits, which are a contentious issue between South Korea and Japan, "There are voices saying that only a political settlement between the governments of South Korea and Japan can resolve this," and "The South Korean government would pay the plaintiffs on behalf of the defendant Japanese companies to nullify the enforcement of the ruling, while Japan would stop the strict export controls on semiconductor materials and others implemented last summer," he argued.

Makino stated, "There is a possibility that the South Korean government will make such a decision," adding, "Because the necessity to improve South Korea-Japan relations is urgent to realize inter-Korean dialogue around the Tokyo Olympics." He further explained, "There is also a political calculation that South Korea wants to appeal its efforts to the new Biden administration in the U.S., which strongly demands improvement in South Korea-Japan relations." Makino emphasized, "Efforts are also required on the Japanese side to create an environment where the Moon government can make a political decision."

He said, "South Korea highly evaluates that Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai recently met with Park Jie-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, and Kim Jin-pyo, Chairman of the Korea-Japan Parliamentary League, who visited Japan," and argued, "If Prime Minister Suga repeatedly holds telephone talks with President Moon Jae-in and builds trust, it could help elicit action from the South Korean government."

However, Makino claimed that it is uncertain whether progress will continue to improve inter-Korean relations. He added, "Given the severe public opinion in Japan toward North Korea, it is unknown whether a high-ranking North Korean official will visit Japan around the Tokyo Olympics," and "Even if Olympic diplomacy succeeds, if the work of directly questioning the value and challenges of South Korea-Japan relations is neglected for reasons such as 'improving inter-Korean relations' or 'consideration for the U.S.,' the relationship will not last long."