Jin Park, Forced Labor Compensation Talks with Japanese Government: "Not a Submissive Diplomacy"

[Asia Economy Reporters Inho Yoo and Jieun Lee] On the 18th, Foreign Minister Park Jin stated regarding consultations with the Japanese government on the forced labor compensation issue, "This is not low-profile diplomacy."

Foreign Minister Park Jin is attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the same day, at the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, in response to Rep. Kim Kyung-hyup of the Democratic Party of Korea's criticism that "there is doubt about Japan's willingness to resolve the forced labor issue, and the South Korean government is busy appeasing Japan with a low-profile stance," Minister Park said, "Japan is also seriously engaging in diplomatic dialogue to improve Korea-Japan relations and believes this issue should be resolved promptly for the betterment of bilateral ties."

Minister Park emphasized, "On the contrary, we are urging Japan for sincere responses and making diplomatic efforts to lead Japan."

Previously, controversy arose when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted a statement to the court amid the imminent cash conversion of assets of Japanese wartime companies refusing to comply with forced labor compensation rulings in South Korea.

The Supreme Court's Civil Division 3, which is hearing the case regarding the special cash conversion order of trademark and patent rights of Ms. Kim Sung-joo, a victim of forced labor at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, must decide by the 19th, four months after receiving the case, whether to proceed without oral arguments.

Before this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted statements to Civil Division 3 and Civil Division 2, which is hearing another cash conversion case involving victim Ms. Yang Geum-deok, which provoked strong opposition from the victims.

When Rep. Kim Kyung-hyup asked, "Does the main content of the submitted (statement) mean not to make a decision to proceed without oral arguments tomorrow?" Minister Park replied, "That is not the case. It was a summary of diplomatic activities sent."

Minister Park explained, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has no intention to exert any substantial influence or intervene in the Supreme Court's ruling," and added, "Since efforts to improve Korea-Japan relations are currently underway, we sent this for the court's reference."

He further elaborated, "We informed the Supreme Court that through improving Korea-Japan relations, we are striving to achieve a desirable resolution before any cash conversion takes place."

Regarding the Supreme Court's final decision scheduled for the 19th, Minister Park said, "I do not know what the ruling will be, but we fundamentally respect the Supreme Court's decision."

Meanwhile, in the work report submitted to the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated regarding diplomacy with Japan, "We will continue close consultations between diplomatic authorities and simultaneously promote efforts to gather domestic opinions on past issues," and added, "We will also strive to strengthen cooperation among the three countries: Korea, the United States, and Japan."