Woo Won-sik "Government's Forced Labor Solution is Absurd... Damages National Interest"

Regarding the government's proposal of a 'third-party compensation method' as a solution to the forced labor issue with Japan, Woo Won-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised his voice in criticism, calling it an "absurd method."

On the 7th, Woo said on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' "This government's solution to compensate forced labor victims with our own money is truly the worst act of national interest damage in our diplomatic history."

Foreign Minister Park Jin is announcing a solution for compensation for forced labor victims during Japanese colonial rule on the 6th at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

He stated, "Our Supreme Court ruling demands compensation from the war crime companies, and since individual claims still remain, they should be compensated," adding, "Shifting the compensation responsibility to our companies means suddenly labeling our companies like POSCO as war crime companies."

Woo said, "I think the distorted historical perception of the president, who said 'Japan has now become a partner,' is clearly revealed in front of the March 1st Independence Movement patriots and those who sacrificed their lives for independence," and added, "I cannot accept this forced labor agreement that lacks both national interest and justification."

He continued, "It is a decision that ignores our Supreme Court's ruling demanding an apology and corresponding compensation from the perpetrator," and said, "Our companies should not be forced to make such contributions."