[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The public-private consultative body discussing solutions to the compensation issue for victims of forced labor under Japanese colonial rule held its third meeting on the 9th amid the absence of the victims' side.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the third meeting in the afternoon, chaired by First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong, with experts on Korea-Japan relations in attendance.
It was 26 days since the second meeting was held on the 14th of last month.
However, since the victims' side, which had participated up to the second meeting, did not attend, it is expected that meaningful exchanges of opinions were difficult to achieve.
The victims' side declared their absence, calling the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' submission of a statement to the court at the end of last month, indicating diplomatic efforts on the forced labor issue, a "deceptive act."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to maintain steady communication with the victims' side even outside the public-private consultative body, but given the significant differences in positions, it is uncertain whether common ground can be found.
Ambassador to Japan Yoon Deok-min's statement at a press briefing the previous day, asserting that "freezing is necessary" regarding the issue of liquidating domestic assets of Japanese companies refusing compensation, has also provoked backlash from the victims' side.
The Minjok Munje Research Institute, a victims' support organization, stated, "We cannot help but have serious concerns about whether the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, which is only eager to engage in submissive diplomacy while watching the Japanese government's reactions, can be expected to resolve the forced labor issue," and demanded Ambassador Yoon's resignation.
Another victims' support group, the Ilje Gangje Dongwon Citizen's Association, strongly criticized in a commentary, saying, "It is deplorable that the Korean ambassador is uttering words that could have come from the Japanese ambassador."
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, when asked by reporters whether Ambassador Yoon's remarks were coordinated with the Ministry, replied, "We understand that the statement was made with the intention that a desirable solution should be derived before any liquidation takes place."
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