Korea-Japan Deputy Foreign Ministers Hold 150-Minute Meeting in Washington, Fail to Reach Conclusion on 'Forced Labor Solution'

Ministerial-Level Discussions Expected to Continue in Munich from the 17th to 19th

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Cho Hyun-dong, the First Vice Foreign Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, engaged in an in-depth discussion for two hours and 30 minutes with Japan's Vice Foreign Minister on major bilateral issues including compensation for forced labor. The meeting, which far exceeded the originally scheduled time, focused intensively on the core issue of ‘third-party compensation and Japan's sincere response.’

On the 14th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Cho, who was in the U.S. to attend the Korea-U.S.-Japan Deputy Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and Takeo Mori, Japan's Vice Foreign Minister, held a vice ministerial-level meeting in Washington on the 13th local time.

Cho Hyun-dong, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, is taking a commemorative photo with Mori Takeo, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, after a meeting in Washington DC on the 13th (local time).

After the talks, Vice Minister Cho told local correspondents that when asked whether they had found common ground on the forced labor compensation issue, “We are still trying to find common ground.” When asked about the meeting running about an hour and a half longer than planned, he said, “The meeting being longer is not necessarily a bad thing,” but added, “The extended discussion also means that no conclusion has been reached yet. I believe we still need to continue consultations.”

In particular, when asked if the participation of Japanese defendant companies in compensation was the main topic of discussion at the meeting, Vice Minister Cho said, “It is somewhat difficult for me to explain specific matters at this time.” He added, “Not only we but also the Japanese side is very sensitive to developments and especially closely watching our media reports. Considering this, I hope you understand that it is difficult for me to provide specific details about the ongoing situation.”

Earlier, the Korean government officially proposed at a public forum on the 12th of last month that the third party, the Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Imperialism, compensate the victims with court-ordered payments. Subsequently, working-level Korea-Japan director-level talks were held to convey the victims' position to Japan. The victims are demanding Japan’s ‘sincere response measures,’ including contributions to compensation by Japanese defendant companies and a genuine apology.

The two countries are likely to hold a Korea-Japan Foreign Ministers' meeting during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, from the 17th to 19th of this month. It is expected that the remaining contentious issues will be discussed at the ministerial level in Munich.

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