'Forced Labor Compensation' Mitsubishi Asset Sale Effectiveness, Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Respect Judicial Decisions and Victims' Rights... Continue Consultation and Communication with Japan"

"Even if the regime changes, the comfort women agreement must be implemented," claims Foreign Minister Motegi... Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes "Lack of victim-centered approach, true resolution impossible"
Actively refutes Japan's claims regarding international community's evaluation
Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges "Japanese government must voluntarily show sincere remorse, apology, and reflection" reprimand

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Regarding Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' announcement that it plans to file an immediate appeal against the seizure order issued by a Korean court, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it respects judicial decisions and victims' rights and will continue consultations and communication to find a reasonable solution considering Korea-Japan relations. The order to sell Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' domestic assets for compensation to victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period became effective from the 29th, the date the decision took effect.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also emphasized that Japan's claim that the 2015 Korea-Japan comfort women agreement must be responsibly implemented lacks a victim-centered approach and cannot lead to a genuine resolution of the issue. It stressed that the Japanese government must sincerely acknowledge responsibility and demonstrate acts of apology and reflection.

Choi Young-sam, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 29th regarding the effectiveness of the decision on the sale of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' assets, "The government respects judicial decisions and victims' rights and maintains an open stance on discussing various reasonable solutions while considering Korea-Japan relations." He added, "Accordingly, the government has been closely consulting with the Japanese side to find solutions while listening to diverse opinions from various sectors, and will continue related consultations and communication going forward."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding recent remarks by Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu that the Korea-Japan comfort women agreement must be responsibly implemented even if the administration changes, the Ministry stated, "It is an agreement lacking a victim-centered approach and cannot lead to a genuine resolution." According to Yomiuri Shimbun, on the 28th, Foreign Minister Motegi said on the 5th anniversary of the comfort women agreement, "Even if the administration changes, it is a promise between countries," and "We must take responsibility and implement it."

Spokesperson Choi said, "The 2015 comfort women agreement lacks a victim-centered approach and cannot be a genuine solution to the issue of Japanese military comfort women victims, as evaluated domestically and internationally," adding, "The core of overcoming human rights violations lies in victim relief. Since the 2015 agreement did not sufficiently collect and reflect victims' opinions, it is well known that a national consensus was formed, including among major victims, that the agreement is unacceptable."

He also actively refuted Japan's claims about international community evaluations. Spokesperson Choi said, "The evaluations by the international community cited by Japan were made before the detailed contents of the agreement were properly disclosed or known," and "Subsequently, UN human rights bodies pointed out the inadequacies of the agreement and repeatedly issued recommendations to fully reflect victims' opinions and rights in its implementation or to revise the agreement."

He continued, "Nevertheless, our government did not terminate the agreement as it is an agreement already concluded between governments," and "Furthermore, considering that this issue is not essentially one to be resolved through reciprocal negotiations, we did not demand renegotiation."

He emphasized that the Japanese government must voluntarily demonstrate responsibility, apology, and reflection.

Spokesperson Choi said, "The government has continued and will continue efforts to firmly establish the international community's recognition that this issue transcends bilateral Korea-Japan relations and is a universal human rights violation, through leading and participating in efforts to eradicate sexual violence, conducting memorial education, and restoring the honor and dignity of the victims," adding, "For a genuine resolution, it is important that the Japanese government voluntarily take actions that correspond to the responsibility, apology, and reflection it has expressed."

According to the legal community, among the four seizure order decisions issued by the Daejeon District Court for special cash realization of trademarks and patent rights filed by forced labor victims including grandmother Yang Geum-deok and their families against Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the public notification delivery effect of two of the four took effect on this day. The remaining two will take effect from midnight on the 30th.

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