"Cheong Wa Dae unofficially inquires Japanese government about post-compensation guarantee for forced labor payments... Japan rejects"

"South Korean Government Conveyed to Japan Earlier This Year 'If Companies Compensate, Korean Government Will Fully Reimburse Later'"
"Japan Rejects, Saying 'Cannot Agree Even If Corporate Expenses Are Reimbursed'"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyeon-jin] Regarding the South Korean Supreme Court's forced labor compensation ruling, the South Korean government unofficially proposed to the Japanese government that "if Japanese companies comply with the compensation, the South Korean government will later fully reimburse them," but the Japanese side did not accept this, Asahi Shimbun reported on the 31st.

Asahi, citing government officials from both South Korea and Japan, reported that the Blue House, led by Presidential Chief of Staff Noh Young-min this year, reviewed solutions to the forced labor issue, respected the Supreme Court's ruling, and considering President Moon Jae-in's intentions, conveyed this proposal to the Japanese side earlier this year. Regarding this, the Japanese government responded that "even if the companies' expenses are reimbursed, the enforcement of the ruling does not change, and we cannot accept it," Asahi reported.

The Japanese government continues to claim that the South Korean Supreme Court ruling violates international law. Asahi conveyed concerns that "if the South Korean proposal is accepted lightly, there could be a series of similar lawsuits as precedents."

However, some speculate that Yoshihide Suga, who took office last month as Japan's Prime Minister, may show a different approach compared to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. A Japanese government official explained to Asahi that while Abe demanded a tough response during his tenure regarding the forced labor ruling, Suga, who was then Chief Cabinet Secretary, valued the economic relationship between South Korea and Japan and preferred a moderate response.

An executive at the Japanese Prime Minister's Office said, "The current Prime Minister (Suga) has a strong desire to do something by any means."

Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether the Suga Cabinet will show a change in attitude regarding the forced labor issue. According to a report by Mainichi Shimbun, diplomatic sources revealed that when President Moon suggested attending the trilateral summit of South Korea, China, and Japan during a phone call on the 24th of last month, Prime Minister Suga conveyed that resolving the forced labor issue was a condition for his attendance.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.