Gwangju Nam-gu Council Issues Statement Calling for Withdrawal of Forced Mobilization Government Solution

The Nam-gu Council of Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 14th that it will issue a statement urging the government to withdraw the 'third-party compensation method,' which requires Korean companies to compensate victims of forced labor during Japanese colonial rule.

Through the statement, the Nam-gu Council members said, "The third-party compensation method tarnishes the dignity of the Republic of Korea and is a humiliating government solution that tramples on the pain of the victims and the people," adding, "We cannot tolerate the government's disastrous decision to undermine the fundamental constitutional order that 'colonial rule is illegal' by the government itself."

They also stated, "Without properly addressing historical issues, it is impossible to build a friendly and amicable relationship between Korea and Japan in the present and future," and argued, "To establish a desirable Korea-Japan relationship, active response to the forced labor victim issue is necessary."

The council members urged, "The humiliating pro-Japanese submissive diplomacy must be immediately stopped, and the third-party compensation method for forced labor victim compensation must be withdrawn immediately. The Yoon administration should sincerely apologize to the forced labor victims and demand compensation from Japan."