“Recruitment” Judgment 1 Year South Korea Aims to Realize Summit Meeting, but Solution is Unclear October 30 18:51

A year ago, the Korean Supreme Court issued a ruling that ordered Japanese companies to compensate for the issue of “recruitment” during the Pacific War. The idea is to realize the Japan-Korea summit meeting early in order to overcome the situation before it is cashed. However, it is unclear whether the Korean government can present an acceptable solution on the Japanese side.

On the issue of “recruitment” during the Pacific War, the Korean Supreme Court handed down a ruling that ordered Japanese companies to compensate on October 30 last year.

The Moon Jae-in administration does not break its attitude of respecting judicial decisions, and the Japanese-Korean relations are steadily getting worse, in opposition to the Japanese government, which has been resolved by the 1965 Japan-Korea Claims Agreement. The

The impact also affects the economy and security. As the Japanese government strengthened export controls for South Korea, there are growing concerns about the future of the domestic economy.

The allied United States has also expressed concern that the Korean government has decided to abolish the Japan-Korea Military Information Comprehensive Protection Agreement = GSOMIA.

Under these circumstances, the plaintiff of the trial is proceeding with the procedure for cashing the assets of Japanese companies in South Korea, and within the Mun administration, if the Japanese companies are actually harmed, the relationship between Japan and Korea will be serious. There is an opinion that the situation should be overcome before it can fall.

For this reason, the South Korean government has increased communication with foreign authorities, and the APEC = Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference, which will be held in Chile next month, and the three countries of China, Japan, China, and Korea, which are coordinated in December, At the summit meeting, we aim to realize a Japan-Korea summit meeting.

However, the gap between the two is large, and it is unclear whether the Korean government will be able to present an acceptable solution on the Japanese side at an early stage.

Cashing foreclosure assets from next February

The trial plaintiff held a press conference in Seoul on the afternoon of 30th and showed that the procedure for selling and cashing the seized Japanese company's assets would be completed after February.

At the interview, the plaintiff first stated that “one year has passed since the decision, but the defendant's Japanese company has not responded to compensation,” and asked the Japanese company to respond immediately.

The lawyer on the plaintiffs' side said that it would be after February next year because the procedure was delayed for the proceedings to the court to sell and cash the assets of the seized Japanese companies. .

Meanwhile, the plaintiffs have clarified that they have filed similar lawsuits against more than 10 Japanese companies, including the construction companies “Kumaya Gumi” and “Nishimatsu Construction” since last year's ruling by the Korean Supreme Court. The policy is to continue.

On the 30th, the defense team also revealed that it had sent a letter to a special rapporteur of the United Nations Human Rights Council, and said it would appeal the Korean community to the international community regarding the issue of “recruitment”.

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs “Continuing Search for Problem Solving”

The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented, “In the position of respecting the judgment of the judiciary, the Korean government will lead rational measures to realize the rights of the victims while taking into account Japan-Korea relations. I have made every effort to get it out. "

On top of that, “The Korean government will continue to look for ways to solve problems while listening to the voices of the victims and society.”

Is the situation in Japan and overseas surrounding the administration affected?

“It seems that the Korean government is trying to tackle the problem of“ recruitment ”more aggressively for the past month,” said Professor Lee Won-deok, a professor at Korea-Kumin University who specializes in Japan-Korea relations. ”And expressed his view that the Korean government is beginning to seek to improve relations with Japan.

Regarding changes in the attitude of the Moon Jae-in administration to Japan, Professor Lee analyzes that domestic and international circumstances surrounding the administration are influencing. Specifically, in Japan, the support base has weakened due to problems with the former Minister of Law, and in North-South relations, North Korea has repeatedly criticized Korea and has not been able to produce results in improving relations.

On top of that, Professor Lee said, “In such a difficult situation, if we could not solve the problem with Japan, we decided we would work against the government ruling party.”

Professor Lee also noted that the effect of “GSOMIA,” a comprehensive military information protection agreement with Japan that South Korea decided to abandon, will be lost in late next month. It ’s best to agree. ”

And the plaintiff side of the trial over “recruitment” is proceeding with the procedure of selling and cashing the assets of Japanese companies. “The Korean government is concerned that if the Japanese companies are actually harmed, the relations between the two countries will worsen further. ”And stressed the need for immediate action.