Forced Labor Victims "Where Can We Receive an Apology?"... Criticism of Yoon's 'Third-Party Compensation Solution'

Survivors of forced labor under Japanese colonial rule and civic groups have condemned the government’s announced “third-party compensation method” as a solution for compensating forced labor victims.

The Korea-Japan Historical Justice and Peace Action held an "Emergency National Situation Declaration" press conference around 1 p.m. on the 7th in front of the National Assembly Main Building in Yeouido. During the conference, statements were also made by Kim Seong-ju grandmother (photo) and Yang Geum-deok grandmother, who are victims of forced labor. Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

At around 1 p.m. on the 7th, the Korea-Japan History Justice and Peace Action held an emergency press conference for a national declaration on the steps in front of the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. The conference was attended by forced labor survivors Yang Geum-deok and Kim Seong-ju, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee Jeong-mi, leader of the Justice Party, opposition lawmakers, and civic groups. According to the organizers, 1,532 organizations and 9,614 individuals co-signed the national declaration.

In the declaration, they stated, “The Yoon administration has brought the dignity of the Republic of Korea to the ground, trampled on the pain of the people, and undermined the fundamental constitutional order that ‘colonial rule is illegal.’” They criticized, “By nullifying the Supreme Court ruling, they bowed to the perpetrators and granted them impunity.” They added, “This inflicts an indelible humiliation on the people and constitutes secondary harm by treating the victims of Japanese colonial rule, whose human rights were violated, as unfortunate neighbors and causing them insult.”

Kim, one of the survivors who spoke that day, said about the Yoon administration’s forced labor solution announcement, “When I was taken to the military comfort women system, they told us we could attend middle and high school and would be paid wages if we worked, but it was a lie.” She continued, “When the earthquake struck, entire houses collapsed, and my friends died on the spot while we developed chronic illnesses.” She added with a trembling voice, “The Japanese took us away, but where can we receive an apology or lodge a complaint? We have lived humiliated for decades; do we have to continue living like this?”

Grandmother Yang also said, “At 95 years old, this is the first time I have felt such injustice,” and regarding the Yoon administration’s policy to collect money from companies for compensation, she emphasized, “Even if I starve to death, I will not accept that money.”

On the afternoon of the 7th, participants of the 'Emergency National Declaration' held a performance condemning the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's enforcement of the government's solution for forced mobilization victims. Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

Opposition lawmakers also continued to criticize the Yoon administration. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, “The Yoon administration must clearly remember the judgment the Park Geun-hye government received for the flawed comfort women agreement in the past,” and stated, “(The Yoon administration) has created new problems rather than solutions.” Lee Jeong-mi, leader of the Justice Party, pointed out, “There is a global historical lesson that we cannot move forward to the future without thorough reflection on history,” and added, “This cannot be disguised as a diplomatic achievement supporting President Yoon’s approval ratings.”

Joo Je-jun, co-chair of the Korea-Japan History Justice and Peace Action, pointed out the statement by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida the previous day that “we will inherit the historical awareness of past cabinets,” saying, “Looking at the positions of past cabinets, it includes former Prime Minister Abe’s historical distortion remarks,” and asked, “Is this really an apology?” Participants shouted, “No.” Joo said, “If the victim grandmothers refuse to accept dirty money, this issue cannot be resolved,” and pledged, “We will stand with the grandmothers until the end.”

Forced labor victims and civic groups will begin a nationwide signature campaign from that day and plan to hold a “National Rally to Nullify the Yoon Government’s Forced Labor Solution” at 4 p.m. on the 11th in front of Seoul City Hall.