LDP Members Discuss Demanding Return of Ambassador to Japan Over 'Comfort Women Ruling' Response

International Court of Justice Filing - Mention of Ambassador Kang Chang-il's Agr?ment Cancellation and More

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] According to reports by Nihon Keizai Shimbun and others on the 13th, within Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), there are discussions of countermeasures against the South Korean court ruling ordering compensation to the comfort women victims, including demands for Nam Gwanpyo, the South Korean ambassador to Japan, to return to Korea.

According to the reports, Masahisa Sato, chairman of the LDP Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the South Korean court ruling on comfort women at the Foreign Affairs Committee meeting the previous day, stating that it disregarded the Korea-Japan Claims Agreement, the Korea-Japan Comfort Women Agreement, and international law recognizing sovereign immunity. He called it an infringement on Japanese sovereignty, pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' response was weak, and argued that filing a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and demanding Ambassador Nam's return should be considered.

Ambassador Nam is expected to return to Korea soon as Kang Chang-il, the newly appointed South Korean ambassador to Japan, is scheduled to assume his post within this month. According to Mainichi, lawmakers attending the LDP Foreign Affairs Committee meeting even argued that the agrement (prior consent for diplomatic envoys) for the new ambassador Kang should be revoked. Additionally, the media reported that there were opinions suggesting that the timing of the new Japanese ambassador to South Korea, Koichi Aiboshi's appointment, should be delayed.

Regarding the ICJ filing, it is reported that there are cautious opinions within the Japanese government because South Korea would have to respond directly. The Japanese government plans to make a final decision after the South Korean court ruling is expected to be finalized on the 23rd, according to Mainichi.

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