Government Begins Deposit of Court-Ordered Compensation for Forced Mobilization Victims Refusing 'Third-Party Payment'

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Initiates Court Deposit Procedure for 4 Individuals Refusing 'Third-Party Payment'
Legal Disputes Expected

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to proceed with the procedure of depositing the compensation funds, which were to be paid to the four plaintiffs in the forced labor compensation lawsuit who did not accept the 'third-party payment' solution, with the court. A deposit refers to a system where, if the creditor refuses to receive the money, the debtor can entrust the funds to the court's deposit office to be relieved of the debt.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 3rd, the Foundation for the Support of Victims of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Imperialism (the Foundation) initiated the procedure to deposit the judgment funds for the four plaintiffs who have refused third-party payment, demanding direct compensation from the Japanese companies, with the court on the same day.

So far, 11 of the 15 plaintiffs, including one surviving victim, have accepted this solution. However, four plaintiffs?two surviving victims and two bereaved family members of deceased victims?have maintained their refusal to accept it.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, the government announced on March 6 a third-party payment solution whereby the Foundation under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety would pay the judgment amount and delayed interest for a total of 15 forced labor victims and their bereaved families who received a final compensation ruling from the Supreme Court in 2018, instead of the Japanese defendant companies.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "The victims and bereaved families concerned can receive the judgment funds at any time," adding, "Even after the deposit, we will continue to make sincere efforts to seek understanding from each individual."

However, if the victims who have expressed refusal to accept the payment persist in rejecting the receipt, it is expected that procedures disputing the legality of the government deposit will follow.