National Committee for Victims of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Rule Urges National Assembly to Immediately Enact Special Compensation Law

Press Conference at Chungnam Provincial Government...
"No Compensation Clause in Last Year's Special Act"

The National Committee for Victims of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Rule is urging the enactment of a special compensation law at the Chungnam Provincial Government Press Center on the 13th. Photo by Pyo Yoonji

On the 13th, the National Committee for Victims of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Rule urged, "The government must pay compensation for the war crimes committed during the Japanese invasion with dignity," and called on the National Assembly to "enact and promulgate a special law to implement this compensation payment, as proposed by the National Committee for Victims."

At a press conference held at the Chungnam Provincial Government Press Center on the same day, the Committee stated, "Until now, victims of forced mobilization under Japanese rule have been marginalized and deprived, becoming socially vulnerable, because the Japanese government has evaded responsibility and refused to fulfill its obligation to provide compensation, while the Korean government has neglected to investigate the truth of the damages, as well as the victims' human rights and compensation issues."

The Committee further pointed out, "The bill submitted on December 2, 2024, by Yoon Sanghyun of the People Power Party and 17 other lawmakers was merely titled 'Special Act on the Restoration of Honor and Support for Victims of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Rule.' This special law only specifies consolation payments, unpaid wage support, and medical support, but does not include any provision for compensation payments."

The Committee stressed, "It cannot end with consolation payments, unpaid wage support, or medical support. We, the victims, will receive compensation, not just consolation payments."

The Committee emphasized, "The government must recover, at current market value, the principal amount of compensation for victims who were mobilized to companies, public enterprises, government-invested companies, public institutions, financial institutions, and private companies, starting with Pohang Iron and Steel, and return it in full to the victims."