Japanese Media: "Third-Party Compensation for Forced Labor... Difficult to Gain Understanding from Korean Public"

Korea to Announce Solution for Forced Labor Today
Possibility of Compensation via Business Groups of Both Countries
Japanese Media Calls It "First Step Toward Improving Relations"

On the morning of March 1st, a press conference was held in front of the Forced Laborer Statue erected at Yongsan Station Plaza in Seoul, urging Japan to apologize and compensate for forced mobilization.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Japanese foreign media expressed optimism, noting signs of progress in bilateral relations, following news that the South Korean government plans to announce a "tripartite compensation plan" to provide reparations to victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period through business organizations from both countries. However, they also voiced concerns about potential difficulties in gaining the understanding of the South Korean public regarding this approach.

On the 6th, Asahi Shimbun positively evaluated the news that the South Korean government is set to finalize a method of compensating forced labor victims through the participation of South Korean companies' funds, stating, "The forced labor issue is the biggest challenge between South Korea and Japan," and "If this issue is resolved, it is expected that South Korea-Japan relations will greatly improve."

Japanese foreign media also focused on the South Korean government's emphasis on improving bilateral relations rather than issuing apologies for the past during the process of proposing a solution. Mainichi Shimbun analyzed, "The South Korean government's establishment of a fund through Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) to support the younger generation rather than the forced labor victims largely aims to highlight a 'future-oriented relationship' between South Korea and Japan." According to Asahi Shimbun, Keidanren reportedly judged that it could provide funds if the project is a separate cooperative effort distinct from reparations related to past apologies.

However, Japanese foreign media expressed concerns about expected strong backlash from South Korean public opinion. Asahi Shimbun reported, "According to South Korean government officials, this solution reflects President Yoon Suk-yeol's intention to prioritize improving South Korea-Japan relations," but "it is anticipated that the victims' side will criticize it as a one-sided compromise." Sankei Shimbun also conveyed, "It is uncertain whether the South Korean government's solution will gain broad public understanding."

In response, Japanese foreign media urged the Japanese government to step forward and show support for the Yoon administration's tripartite compensation approach. Mainichi Shimbun, in an editorial on the 25th regarding forced labor, stated, "South Korea has become a partner with whom cooperation should be strengthened in terms of security, and it is recovering from economic damage caused by COVID-19," adding, "It would be a great loss to break neighborly relations at such a time." Nihon Keizai Shimbun also noted, "This solution avoids the worst-case scenario in South Korea-Japan relations, where Japanese companies (Nippon Steel, formerly Shin Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal) would have their assets liquidated," but cautioned, "If the people on both sides do not accept it, the solution will be difficult to realize."

However, some expressed worried reactions regarding the Japanese government's stance on inheriting the apology statements related to colonial rule. There is concern that it might be perceived as acknowledging the final ruling by the South Korean Supreme Court that recognized the liability of wartime companies for compensation. Sankei Shimbun stated, "The Japanese government is expected to express a position of inheriting past statements containing phrases like 'deep remorse and heartfelt apology,'" but warned, "If it is interpreted as apologizing for an issue already settled (by the South Korea-Japan Claims Agreement), it could be a significant negative for the Japanese administration."

The South Korean government is scheduled to announce a solution to the forced labor compensation ruling issue within today. The main content of the solution is expected to be a 'tripartite compensation' plan, where South Korean companies voluntarily contribute donations to compensate for the court-ordered payments instead of the wartime companies.