“Japan refuses to respond to the Korea-China-Japan summit without a prerequisite for the'conscription issue'”

While dialogue between South Korea and Japan to resolve the issue of compensation for conscription victims has been active in recent years, it is reported that Japan is not bent on a tough position asking the South Korean government for a solution.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Democratic Party member Kim Jin-pyo, chairman of the Korea-Japan Congressional Federation, reported that they prevented Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga yesterday (on the 13th), saying "If this is the case, the Japanese government will not respond to the holding of the Korea-China-Japan summit."

According to Yomiuri, Prime Minister Suga said at this meeting that "the relationship between Korea and Japan is in a very difficult situation due to the issue of recruitment workers," and asked Rep. Kim and his companions to convey to President Moon Jae-in that Korea should create an opportunity for solving the problem.

The Japanese government said that the South Korean Supreme Court's judgment of compensation for conscription victims, which was confirmed one after another since October 2018, was contrary to the Korea-Japan Claims Agreement concluded in 1965, violating international law, and that the Korean government should prevent the process of converting assets seized in Korea such as Japan Steel. Insist.

In particular, it is publicly proclaiming its intention to retaliate if the foreclosure assets are converted into cash and cause substantial damage to Japanese companies.

In response, the Korean government, which emphasizes a'victim-centered' solution, maintains a position to continue communication to find a solution that satisfies both countries under the principle of separation of powers that must respect the judgment of the judiciary.

Yomiuri said that the Japanese government understands that the Korean government wants to hold a Korea-Japan summit in time with this year's Korea-China-Japan summit and issue a joint declaration that will collectively resolve the issue of conscription lawsuits and export restrictions in Japan.

In this regard, an official from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that "we gave zero answers," saying that there was no solution from the South Korean side at the meeting between Rep. Kim and his party and Prime Minister Suga.

Yomiuri said Prime Minister Suga responded cautiously to Congressman Kim's request for a visit to Korea the day before, and said the Japanese government would not respond to the Korea-China-Japan summit in South Korea in this state.