Japanese Media: "Japanese Government Considering Filing 'Comfort Women Ruling' with International Court of Justice"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 10th, Asahi Shimbun and others reported that the Japanese government is considering filing a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the Seoul Central District Court's ruling on compensation for comfort women victims.

Asahi reported that a senior Japanese government official said, "(Filing with the ICJ) is a strong option," and added that if the Korean side does not respond, "our position will become difficult." Yomiuri Shimbun also reported that the Japanese government is considering filing with the ICJ.

Earlier, on the 8th, the 34th Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Jeonggon) ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in a damages lawsuit filed by 12 comfort women victims, including the late Bae Chunhee, against the Japanese government, ordering the defendants to pay 100 million won per plaintiff.

In response, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, who is visiting Brazil, held a phone conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha the day before and stated in an online interview with Japanese reporters that, without mentioning specific methods, "We will calmly respond keeping all options in mind."

Asahi Shimbun predicted that the Japanese government will make a final decision on whether to file with the ICJ while monitoring the plaintiffs' efforts to seize Japanese government assets in South Korea and the future course of the lawsuit and the South Korean government's response. Regarding this, Yomiuri Shimbun reported that there is also a "cautious view" within the Japanese government, considering that even if sovereign immunity is recognized at the ICJ, the comfort women issue could resurface as a contentious point.

Additionally, filing with the ICJ requires both parties to the dispute to consent, as the court does not have compulsory jurisdiction. Even if Japan files a lawsuit, if South Korea does not accept it, the lawsuit itself will not be established.

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