Ministry of Foreign Affairs Submits Opinion to Supreme Court Reviewing 'Mitsubishi Asset Sale' Case

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently submitted a written opinion to the Supreme Court, which is currently reviewing the special monetization (sale) order of trademark and patent rights against Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, explaining its diplomatic efforts to seek a resolution for forced labor issues.

According to legal circles on the 29th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted written opinions on the 26th to the Supreme Court's Civil Divisions 2 and 3, which are hearing the special monetization (sale) order case concerning trademark and patent rights related to forced labor victims Yang Geum-deok and Kim Seong-ju.

The Ministry stated, "We have been continuously conducting diplomatic consultations with Japan to seek a reasonable solution that aligns with the mutual interests of both Korea and Japan, and through public-private councils, we have been gathering opinions from various sectors in Korea, including the plaintiffs, making multifaceted diplomatic efforts. On the 26th, in accordance with the Supreme Court Civil Procedure Rules, we submitted a written opinion explaining this position to the Supreme Court."

The Supreme Court Civil Procedure Rules include a provision that "national institutions and local governments may submit written opinions related to public interest matters to the Supreme Court regarding trials."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is aware of the need to establish a diplomatic solution before the monetization deadline, which could significantly impact Korea-Japan relations, and has formed a public-private council involving victim representatives, academia, and media figures to conduct discussions.

However, the group supporting plaintiffs Yang Geum-deok and Kim Seong-ju, the Citizens' Group for Forced Mobilization under Japanese Rule, and the legal representatives have not participated in the public-private council.

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