12 out of 15 People Receive Supreme Court Victory Ruling
Grandmother Yang Geum-deok (95), a victim of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period, accepted compensation through the 'third-party payment' method.
Grandmother Yang Geum-deok (95), a victim of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period [Image source=Yonhap News]
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Foundation for the Support of Victims of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Rule (hereinafter the Foundation) on the 23rd, Grandmother Yang received compensation and delayed interest from the Foundation in accordance with the Supreme Court's ruling in favor of forced labor damage compensation. In October 2018, the Supreme Court recognized the liability of Japanese companies such as Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for forced labor damages, but the defendant companies did not accept this, leading to a deterioration in Korea-Japan relations.
In response, the Korean government announced last March a solution involving the 'third-party payment' method, where the Foundation pays the compensation that Japanese companies should pay using funds raised by the Foundation. Among the 15 plaintiffs who won the final Supreme Court ruling, 11 accepted this method, and now with Grandmother Yang, the number has increased to 12. Among the three who still refuse the 'third-party payment' solution, the only surviving victim is Grandfather Lee Chun-sik (104), it is reported.
Grandmother Yang's side stated that they have no separate position to disclose regarding the reason for receiving the compensation.
The civic group supporting forced labor victims, the Citizens' Group for Forced Mobilization under Japanese Rule, said, "We do not know if the decision to receive the compensation was made according to Grandmother Yang's will, who has been hospitalized in a nursing hospital since last November," and added, "We are currently investigating the exact circumstances."
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