China News Service, Seoul, January 23 (Reporter Zeng Na) The Korean court sentenced the Japanese government to pay compensation to the victims of "comfort women" to take effect on the 23rd.
On August 14, 2019, South Korean and Japanese private groups in Germany gathered in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, urging the Japanese government to formally apologize to the victims of the atrocities of the "comfort women" system.
A "Portrait of a Girl of Peace" also appeared at the event.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Peng Dawei
In response to 12 South Korean "comfort women" victims' claims against Japan, the Seoul Central District Court in South Korea issued a first-instance verdict on January 8 this year and sentenced the Japanese government to pay 100 million won per person.
This incident triggered protests from the Japanese side.
The Japanese government believes that in accordance with the principle of sovereign immunity in international law, it does not accept the judgment and will not appeal.
On the 23rd, the Korean court's judgment took effect.
South Korean public opinion believes that even if the judgment takes effect, if the Japanese side does not execute the judgment, it will be difficult for the victims of "comfort women" to obtain compensation.
South Korea and Japan have been arguing over historical issues for many years, and bilateral relations have deteriorated in recent years.
On January 22, the newly appointed South Korean ambassador to Japan, Jiang Changyi, arrived in Japan.
He said that South Korea-Japan relations have reached a deadlock and will work hard to restore relations between the two countries.
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