Government Strongly Opposes 'Third-Party Payment' Solution
"Is the President Korean or Japanese?"
On the 6th, when the government's solution to the forced mobilization issue, centered on third-party payment, was announced, victim Yang Geum-deok, an elderly woman, shouted slogans condemning the government at the 5.18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The government announced a compensation solution for victims of forced labor during the Japanese occupation using a 'third-party payment' method, but the victim, grandmother Yang Geum-deok, strongly opposed it on the 6th, saying, "I will not accept money given like alms."
On that day, Grandmother Yang made this statement after watching the government's announcement on the resolution of the forced labor issue via online live broadcast at the office of the Forced Labor Citizens' Association in Seo-gu, Gwangju.
She pointed out, "There are separate people who did wrong and separate people who should apologize, so it should not be resolved through (the third-party payment method)." She added, "That cannot be considered an apology."
She continued, "Even if I don't receive that money, I won't starve to death," and said, "I will not accept money given like alms."
Grandmother Yang also raised her voice, saying, "Don't underestimate the elderly too much," and "An apology must come first before resolving all other matters."
After the government's announcement of the compensation solution, Grandmother Yang held a press conference at the 5.18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, where she questioned President Yoon Suk-yeol, saying, "Which country is the president of now? Is he Korean or Japanese?"
She added, "I just can't understand it, and in my forty-five years, I've never seen a method like this," emphasizing, "I hope the president quickly steps down, learns well from ordinary people, and sincerely repents for everything."
On the same day, Foreign Minister Park Jin announced a plan for the 'Forced Labor Victims Support Foundation' under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to pay the court-ordered compensation on behalf of Japanese companies to victims of forced labor who received a final compensation ruling from the Supreme Court in 2018.
There are a total of 15 victims who received the final Supreme Court ruling in 2018, and the compensation amount to be paid, including delayed interest, is known to reach 4 billion won. The funding will be raised through voluntary donations from companies benefiting from the Korea-Japan Claims Agreement, including POSCO.
Minister Park said, "We will secure funds through voluntary private contributions and further expand the available resources related to the foundation's purpose projects in the future."
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