The Ansan Branch of the Suwon District Court did not accept the government's application for deposit of compensation for victims of forced labor during the Japanese occupation.
On the 7th, the Ansan Branch explained the reason for rejecting the deposit, stating, "The depositary has clearly expressed opposition to third-party payment, and there is no evidence attached to the deposit document proving that the debtor's consent was obtained."
The Forced Mobilization Victims Support Foundation under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which acts as the third-party payer, recently applied to the Ansan Branch for a deposit concerning one bereaved family member of the late victim Jeong Chang-hee. A deposit is a system where money or other assets are entrusted to the court to obtain certain legal effects.
As a result, all deposits of forced labor compensation filed with the Suwon District Court, Pyeongtaek Branch of Suwon District Court, Ansan Branch of Suwon District Court, Gwangju District Court, and Jeonju District Court have been rejected.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reportedly planning to file an objection procedure, arguing that the court deposit officer's rejection decision exceeds the authority of deposit officials who only have 'formal review authority.'
In March, the government announced a third-party payment solution whereby the Forced Mobilization Victims Support Foundation would pay the judgment amounts and delayed interest for 15 forced labor victims and their families who received a final compensation ruling from the Supreme Court in 2018, instead of the Japanese defendant companies.
Among the 15 plaintiffs, 11, including one surviving victim, accepted this solution. However, four plaintiffs?including two surviving victims, Yang Geum-deok and Lee Chun-sik, and two bereaved family members of deceased victims, Jeong Chang-hee and Park Hae-ok?rejected the solution, demanding participation in compensation from the Japanese companies.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
