10 Forced Labor Victims' Families Receive Compensation... 5 Ultimately 'Refuse'

Yoon Government Solution... 5 People Including '3 Parties' Refuse
Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Will Visit Each Person and Continue Efforts"

Among the 15 forced labor victims who won their final lawsuits at the Supreme Court in 2018, the families of 10 victims have agreed to accept the government's 'third-party compensation' solution and receive compensation payments. However, five individuals, including three victims themselves, have expressed their intention to reject the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's solution.

Seo Min-jung, Director of the Asia-Pacific Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters on the 13th, "The Foundation for Supporting Victims of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Rule (hereinafter the Foundation) plans to pay the compensation and delayed interest to the families of ten victims with confirmed Supreme Court rulings who have expressed their acceptance of the government’s solution as of the 14th," adding, "(These individuals) have expressed their hope that this issue will be resolved promptly and have accepted the payment of compensation according to the government’s solution."

Seo Min-jung, Director of the Asia-Pacific Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Shim Gyu-seon, Chairman of the Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Rule, are holding a briefing on Korea-Japan relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 13th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Earlier, the government officially announced on the 6th of last month a solution (third-party compensation) whereby the Foundation would raise funds through voluntary private contributions and pay the compensation and delayed interest to the 15 victims with confirmed rulings (14 plaintiffs) on behalf of the Japanese defendant companies. Since then, the government and the Foundation have been individually meeting with victims and their families to explain the solution and seek their understanding.

There are three cases with confirmed compensation rulings, involving 15 victims. Among the four victims of Nippon Steel, three have expressed their intention to receive compensation; among the five victims of Hiroshima Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, four have done so; and among the six victims of Nagoya Mitsubishi Forced Labor, three families have indicated their willingness to accept compensation payments.

The remaining five victims have officially declared their rejection of the government’s solution by sending certified letters to the Foundation. This group includes three surviving victims: grandfather Lee Chun-sik, a victim of Nippon Steel, and grandmothers Yang Geum-deok and Kim Seong-ju, victims of Mitsubishi Forced Labor.

Director Seo emphasized, "Through this solution, the government will continue to strive to heal the wounds of victims and their families, even if only a little," and added, "We will continue sincere efforts to meet each victim and family member directly with the Foundation to seek their understanding."