Korea-Japan 'Forced Labor Solution' Director-Level Talks... "Continued Communication"

June 16 Korea-Japan Director-General Talks Held
Domestic Atmosphere Conveyed to Japanese Side
No Special Remarks on Consultation Results

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Seo Min-jung, Director of the Asia-Pacific Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held Korea-Japan director-level talks with Takehiro Funakoshi, Director of the Asia and Oceania Bureau at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 16th.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this director-level meeting was held as part of accelerating close consultations between diplomatic authorities to promptly resolve pending issues and improve relations, in accordance with the agreement between the two heads of state.

On the day, both sides exchanged views on pending issues and interests between Korea and Japan. Director Seo conveyed the domestic atmosphere, including the public forum on solutions to forced labor held on the 12th. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that without mentioning the results of the talks, close communication between diplomatic authorities at all levels will continue in the future.

On the 12th, a public forum to discuss solutions for forced labor was held at the National Assembly. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

At the forum on the 12th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially announced the 'third-party compensation' method, in which domestic companies first repay the compensation awarded to forced labor victims and then wait for a 'sincere response' from the Japanese side. This is the so-called 'coexisting (overlapping) debt assumption' method, where the 'Foundation for Forced Mobilization Victims under Japanese Imperialism' pays the compensation on behalf of the forced labor victims.

In this regard, it is expected that detailed exchanges of opinions between the two countries took place during this consultation.