China News Service, March 1, According to Korea Broadcasting International (KBS), the 102nd anniversary ceremony of South Korea’s "March First Movement" was held in Seoul’s Jongno Tagok Park on March 1. South Korean President Moon Jae-in delivered a commemoration Said that South Korea is ready for dialogue with Japan at any time and should be committed to developing future-oriented South Korea-Japan relations.
Moon Jae-in said that South Korea will seek a wise solution from the standpoint of the victim, but at the same time it cannot stop its efforts for the future development of the relationship between South Korea and Japan.
Moon Jae-in also promised to provide cooperation for the successful hosting of the Tokyo Olympics.
Data map: South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
Photo courtesy of the Blue House
The report pointed out that Moon Jae-in once again reiterated the policy tone of continuing to treat historical issues and the development of relations between the two countries separately through the above statement.
In addition, Moon Jae-in once again demonstrated his determination to promote denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula in his speech, hoping that North Korea will participate in the anti-epidemic mechanism in Northeast Asia.
In October 2018, the Supreme Court of South Korea (Supreme Court) sentenced Japan's Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation to compensate the four South Korean victims of forced labor during World War II 100 million won each.
This move triggered a strong reaction from the Japanese government. The contradiction between South Korea and Japan surrounding the forced labor issue continued to ferment, and tensions in the relations between the two countries intensified.
In 2019, after South Korea and Japan fell into trade friction, bilateral relations continued to stalemate.
Recently, bilateral relations have experienced ups and downs again due to issues such as "comfort women".
In response to 12 South Korean "comfort women" victims' claims against Japan, the Seoul Central District Court made a first-instance judgment on January 8, 2021, and sentenced the Japanese government to pay 100 million won to each person.
This incident triggered protests from the Japanese side.
The Japanese government believes that in accordance with the principle of national sovereign immunity under international law, it does not accept the judgment and will not appeal.
On January 23, 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.