Court Rules "Mitsubishi to Compensate Only One Forced Labor Victim"

Seoul Central District Court / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Victims of forced labor during the Japanese occupation won a partial victory in a damages lawsuit against Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan. On the 9th, the Civil Division 41 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Do-young Jeong) ruled that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries must pay 10 million KRW in damages to Mr. Kim and 252 other victims and their families who filed the lawsuit against three Japanese companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

The court rejected Mitsubishi's claims that it lacked jurisdiction or that Japanese law should apply, based on the Supreme Court ruling in October 2018, and ruled in favor of Mr. Kim. However, the court dismissed the claims of eight victims whose lawsuit delegation was deemed improperly conducted, and ruled against other victims, stating that it was not proven that Mitsubishi forced them into labor.

Previously, Mr. Kim and other victims and their families filed a wage claim lawsuit, stating that they were subjected to forced labor but did not receive proper wages. However, due to difficulties in proving the case, such as unclear memories of the victims, they changed the lawsuit's purpose to claim compensation for mental damages.

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