Retaliatory Measures Against Comfort Women and Forced Labor Compensation Rulings
New Ambassador to South Korea Appointment Also Under Review for Delay
[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] It has been reported that the Japanese government is considering temporarily postponing meetings with Kang Chang-il, the newly appointed South Korean ambassador to Japan, who will soon assume his post.
This is widely interpreted as a retaliatory measure in response to rulings ordering compensation for forced laborers against Japanese companies and for victims of the comfort women issue.
According to the Sankei Shimbun on the 20th, the Japanese government is reviewing a plan to temporarily withhold meetings between Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and the incoming ambassador Kang Chang-il.
Kang, who received his credentials from President Moon Jae-in on the 14th, is scheduled to assume his post on the 22nd.
It is customary for a newly appointed ambassador to Japan to present credentials to the Emperor and begin diplomatic activities in Japan; however, Nam Gwan-pyo, the previous ambassador who assumed his post in May 2019, met with then Foreign Minister Taro Kono before presenting his credentials to offer his greetings.
The Sankei reported that regardless of whether credentials are presented, the Japanese government plans to withhold meetings between the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and Ambassador Kang if South Korea does not take a proactive stance regarding the rulings on forced labor and comfort women.
Earlier, Prime Minister Suga and Foreign Minister Motegi did not hold a farewell meeting with former Ambassador Nam, who returned to South Korea on the 16th, drawing criticism as a "diplomatic faux pas."
By convention, the South Korean ambassador to Japan typically meets with the Japanese Prime Minister before leaving the post.
Local private broadcaster TBS cited a Japanese government official saying, "Considering the South Korean court rulings that the Japanese government should compensate victims of the Japanese military’s comfort women, the meetings between Prime Minister Suga and former Ambassador Nam were postponed."
In addition to refusing to meet Ambassador Kang, the Japanese government is reportedly also considering delaying the appointment of Koichi Aiboshi, the newly appointed Japanese ambassador to South Korea.
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