Foreign Minister Motegi announced a discourse after the Korean court ordered the Japanese government to compensate for the comfort women issue, and it is extremely regrettable that this decision is clearly contrary to international law. However, he urges the South Korean government to take appropriate measures.
On January 8, the Seoul Central District Court issued a ruling ordering the Japanese government to compensate the women of the former comfort women over the comfort women issue, but the Japanese government is subject to the jurisdiction of South Korea. The decision was finalized at midnight on the 23rd without appealing from the standpoint that it was not admitted.
In response to this, Foreign Minister Motegi announced a discourse, saying, "Under international law, the state is not subject to foreign jurisdiction in principle. Japan is based on the principle of" exemption from sovereign immunity "under international law. We have repeatedly expressed our position that this case must be dismissed. This decision is clearly contrary to international law. "
"The issue of property and claims between Japan and South Korea, including the comfort women issue, has been completely and finally resolved by the Japan-Korea Claims Agreement of 1965, which has become the basis of Japan-Korea relations so far. In addition, the agreement at the 2015 Foreign Ministers' Meeting confirmed the "final and irreversible solution" to the comfort women issue. "
He added, "The ruling is clearly contrary to international law and the agreement between Japan and South Korea, and is extremely regrettable and absolutely unacceptable. It is the responsibility of the state to immediately correct the state of violation of international law. I strongly urge you to take appropriate measures to do so. "