Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Files Successive 'Immediate Appeals' Against Forced Execution for Japanese Forced Labor Compensation
Ruling on Japanese Comfort Women Damage Lawsuit from the 8th... Japan Says "South Korea Must Honor the Korea-Japan Comfort Women Agreement"
South Korean Government Responds with "Deep Responsibility and Apology"... Standoff Over Principles Intensifies
Biden's Commitment to Strengthening the 'Trilateral Alliance' Adds a Variable
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] From the very beginning of the new year, South Korea and Japan are expected to continue their intense disputes over historical issues. Although the enforcement of the forced execution ruling related to the Japanese forced labor compensation has taken effect, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has filed an immediate appeal, and the first trial verdicts for the damages claims filed by comfort women victims are scheduled to be announced consecutively starting from the 8th. Given this situation, it cannot be ruled out that both countries may escalate into a strong confrontation based on principles. However, some speculate that, influenced by the Biden administration's intention to strengthen the 'trilateral alliance,' selective solidarity rather than extreme confrontation may emerge.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and legal circles on the 5th, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 34 (Presiding Judge Kim Jeong-gon) will deliver the first trial verdict on the 8th morning for a damages claim lawsuit filed by 12 comfort women victims, including the late grandmother Bae Chun-hee, against the Japanese government. On the 13th, the first trial verdict will be held for victims including the late grandmother Kwak Ye-nam. This comes about a week after Mitsubishi Heavy Industries filed an 'immediate appeal' on the 30th and 31st of last month in response to the enforcement of forced execution for Japanese forced labor compensation.
South Korean and Japanese Governments Maintain Existing Positions
In response, the Japanese side has raised voices criticizing the South Korean government over historical issues. Regarding the compensation issue for forced labor victims during Japanese colonial rule, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has maintained the stance that "the South Korean government should first propose a solution," citing the 1965 Korea-Japan Claims Agreement. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, on the 28th of last month marking the 5th anniversary of the Korea-Japan comfort women agreement, stated, "Even if the administration changes, the agreement must be responsibly implemented," remarks that seem to shift responsibility for historical issues.
The South Korean government has responded with a principled stance that Japan must acknowledge responsibility and show a spirit of apology. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained, "We reaffirm our position to respect the judiciary's decision (regarding the Supreme Court ruling and forced execution on Japanese forced labor)," adding, "We continue communication through diplomatic channels and are open to discussing solutions through dialogue." Regarding the Korea-Japan comfort women agreement, the official emphasized, "The 2015 agreement did not sufficiently reflect the victims' opinions, and there is a national consensus that the agreement is unacceptable," stressing, "It is evaluated domestically and internationally that it cannot be a genuine resolution to the issue."
The stark differences in positions on historical issues are likely to deepen the conflict between South Korea and Japan. The forced labor compensation issue is intertwined with matters such as Korea-Japan export controls and the GSOMIA issue, making it difficult to approach each matter separately. Moreover, the verdict by the Korean court on lawsuits filed by comfort women victims against the Japanese government could potentially become a new source of dispute depending on the outcome.
Variable: The Biden Administration
However, with the inauguration of the U.S. Biden administration, there is analysis that South Korea and the U.S. are seeking solutions behind the scenes, and outwardly, a form of 'selective solidarity' may take shape. Last month, both South Korea and Japan replaced their ambassadors in preparation for changes. Kang Chang-il, honorary chairman of the Korea-Japan Parliamentary League, has been nominated as the next South Korean ambassador to Japan, and Koichi Aiboshi, the current Japanese ambassador to Israel, has been nominated as the next Japanese ambassador to South Korea. Both have reportedly received agrement (host country approval) and are awaiting official announcement.
The Asan Institute for Policy Studies, in its 'Asan International Outlook 2021,' predicted, "With the inauguration of the Suga government and the Biden administration, it is expected that trilateral cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. will strengthen, and the U.S. will engage to improve Korea-Japan relations," forecasting, "In 2021, Korea-Japan relations will be characterized more by selective solidarity than by strong confrontation." The Institute for Foreign Affairs and National Security, in its '2021 International Outlook,' analyzed, "Although the tense situation triggered by historical recognition and forced labor compensation issues is likely to continue this year, the emergence of the Biden administration, which values the Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral security cooperation, will lead to attempts to seek improvements and solutions behind the scenes."
On the 12th, the "8th World Solidarity Rally and Press Conference for the World Japanese Military Comfort Women Memorial Day" is being held on Pyeonghwa-ro in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. /Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
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