Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Solutions for Forced Labor Narrowed"... Specific Points of Agreement Remain 'Unclear'

New APAC Director to Meet with Victims
"Will Continue Communication to Restore Shuttle Diplomacy"

On the 29th, participants hold placards at the 4th anniversary press conference of the Mitsubishi forced labor Supreme Court ruling held in front of the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the solution to the "forced labor compensation" issue under discussion with Japan has "indeed narrowed compared to the past."

On the 29th, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official told reporters, "More concrete solution plans are being discussed between South Korea and Japan," adding, "We will continue to communicate with victims, support organizations, and experts through various means."

However, the official avoided specific comments on the plans under discussion, saying, "At this point, it is difficult to say 'what is being focused on' regarding any particular solution."

Earlier, following the summit between President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held on the 13th in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the bureau-level talks held on the 24th in Tokyo, discussions surrounding the forced labor issue between South Korea and Japan appear to be proceeding closely.

Here, the "narrowed proposal" between South Korea and Japan is believed to be based on a plan where funds raised by private entities such as companies from both countries are used by the Korea Foundation for Forced Mobilization Victims to compensate forced labor victims instead of direct compensation.

As a legal procedure to repay debts owed to Japanese defendant companies, "concurrent debt assumption" (where the liability for damages remains but a third party assumes the same debt) is being discussed. While there is an interpretation that creditor (victim) consent is not required to implement "concurrent debt assumption," opinions differ even within the legal community.

Furthermore, the victims' side insists that even if a third party such as the foundation repays on their behalf, an apology from the defendant companies and their participation in raising funds are absolutely necessary. On the other hand, Japan has not shown clear signals of willingness to respond, making it crucial to narrow this gap in positions.

Kim Jeong-hee, the attorney representing Ms. Yang Geum-deok, a forced labor victim from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, emphasized at a press conference marking four years since the Supreme Court's compensation ruling, stating, "Concurrent debt assumption involves the South Korean government entering into a contract to assume debt from Mitsubishi, and the consideration of what the countervalue is will be an important part of the negotiations," expressing her personal opinion.

In addition, there is significant interest within the Japanese political circles about whether this solution can "conclude" the forced labor issue, but it is true that sincere cooperation from the Japanese side is necessary for this.

Seo Min-jeong, newly appointed Director-General of the Asia-Pacific Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which handles relations with Japan, is scheduled to visit Gwangju on the 7th of next month to meet with representatives of the victims. In Gwangju, there are organizations supporting the comfort women victims and litigation representatives. Before the Gwangju visit, she is also expected to meet with related personnel supporting victims of Nippon Steel in Seoul.

With two South Korea-Japan summits taking place around multilateral meetings, there is talk of an early resumption of shuttle diplomacy with Japan, which had been severed for over ten years, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that no concrete plans have been made yet. Regarding this, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lim Soo-seok explained, "It is true that expectations for the restoration of shuttle diplomacy between the leaders are rising," but added, "To restore shuttle diplomacy, consultations and communication between diplomatic authorities will continue."