Japan, S. Korea Try to Find Middle Ground over Wartime Labor Issue

By Michitaka Kaiya / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

11:47 JST, February 19, 2023

MUNICH — Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and South Korean counterpart Park Jin, meeting on Saturday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, exchanged views on reaching a final solution for the unresolved issue of former wartime requisitioned workers from the Korean Peninsula, the most pressing matter currently between the two countries.

Hayashi and Park also confirmed a policy of close cooperation in dealing with North Korea.

The discussion between the two officials regarding lawsuits filed by former wartime requisitioned workers raised the issue to a higher political level as Tokyo and Seoul attempt to finally put it behind them.

It was the first face-to-face meeting between the Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers since last September. During the 35-minute meeting, they mainly discussed the issue of the former wartime requisitioned workers as well as North Korea’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Saturday.

The Japanese and South Korean governments have come up with a plan to settle the former requisitioned workers issue by having a foundation set up under the auspices of the South Korean government that would shoulder the cost of compensation in place of the defendant Japanese companies.

Hayashi and Park searched for a point regarding the lingering differences on the issue that would be acceptable to both sides.

They did not seem to reach a final decision at the meeting, but agreed that healthy bilateral relations should be restored and they will continue close communication at all diplomatic levels for an early resolution.

The South Korean Foreign Affairs Ministry announced that the two foreign ministers exchanged “serious and in-depth views based on the trust that has been built up” in discussing pressing issues including wartime workers.

The Japanese government maintains the position that the wartime workers issue was resolved under the 1965 pact between Japan and the Republic of Korea known as the Agreement on the Settlement of Problems concerning Property and Claims and on Economic Cooperation.

However, the South Korean government has been calling for a sincere response such as some kind of involvement by the defendant Japanese companies or other voluntary measures.

Since some South Korean plaintiffs remain opposed to Seoul’s proposal of paying the compensation, the South Korean government has hopes of reaching a compromise with Japan from the perspective of appeasing domestic public opinion.