The Democratic Party: "The Forced Labor Solution Is Not the End but the Beginning"

Jin Jeong-seok "Must Face the Past and Move Toward the Future"
Kim Tae-ho "Purpose of Announcement Should Not Be Undermined by Political Strife"

The People Power Party unanimously stated that the government's announced 'third-party compensation plan' for forced labor is not the end of the problem but the beginning, expressing hope for a response from the Japanese side.

On the 6th, Emergency Response Committee Chairman Jeong Jin-seok wrote on Facebook, "Today's announcement does not signify the conclusion of the forced labor issue but merely the start of its resolution," adding, "The Yoon Suk-yeol administration has made a magnanimous political decision for national interest and the future." The government announced on the same morning a plan for third-party compensation for victims of Japanese forced labor using donations made by Korean companies.

Chairman Jeong also said, "We will demand sincere reciprocal measures from Japan," and added, "Whether the forced labor agreement will follow the same path as the past comfort women agreement or become a new stepping stone for a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship now depends on Japan's follow-up actions."

Jin Jeong-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 6th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

He further emphasized the need to consider that most victims are in their 90s. He explained, "Among the fifteen victims who received Supreme Court rulings, only three are currently alive," and stated, "We have an obligation to fulfill the responsibilities according to the Supreme Court's ruling for the victims. Although it is not entirely satisfactory, we must take the first step before it is too late."

Regarding opposing public opinion, he pointed out, "Blind anti-Japanese sentiment and reckless death song chants cannot overcome the domestic and international challenges we face."

Kim Tae-ho, a member of the People Power Party and chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, also stated on Facebook, "As the government emphasized, this government's solution is not the end but the beginning," adding, "We have taken the first step from a magnanimous perspective while looking toward the future, and we expect sincere responses from Japan."

Kim further said, "Above all, there must be a sincere apology from the Japanese government. We must also listen to voices demanding the participation of war crime companies," and expressed hope that "the purpose of the government's announcement will not be undermined by political strife."

Senior Spokesperson Park Jeong-ha commented, "Even if the path is difficult and challenging, we must move forward. Neglecting it because it is hard is a path to falling behind."

Park added, "The brutal history of Japanese imperialism must never be forgotten," but also stated, "Blind anti-Japanese sentiment only leads to isolation on the global diplomatic stage, causing fatal harm to national interests and providing no help toward the future."