<W commentary> South Korean government announces solution to former forced labor lawsuit, but plaintiffs strongly oppose = can public opinion be consolidated?

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an open forum in the National Assembly on the 12th to resolve the issue of former forced laborers, the biggest pending issue between Japan and South Korea. A government-affiliated foundation that supports former forced laborers has announced that it will take over the reparations as a potential solution. The public forum is positioned as the final stage leading to the announcement of a solution. However, some participants raised their voices during the debate, dissatisfied with the government's response. If the plaintiffs in the former forced labor lawsuit proceed without consent, there is a risk that the opposition to the Yoon Seo-gyul administration will grow stronger, and from the state of the debate on this day, it seems that the process to resolution will continue in the future. He hinted that it was going to be a tough one. However, the Japanese government intends to carefully assess the effectiveness of the solution.

In 2018, South Korea's Supreme Court ordered Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Steel (former Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation) to compensate the former forced labor plaintiffs. However, with regard to the compensation issue, Japan has not complied with the implementation of the compensation, taking the position that it was settled by the Japan-Korea Claims Agreement of 1965. Therefore, the plaintiff is proceeding with the procedure to cash the assets of the Japanese company and enforce the judgment. But it is said that the Japanese government is prepared to impose sanctions if the cash is made, and that if that happens, Japan-South Korea relations will fall apart. Therefore, both the Japanese and South Korean governments agree that cashing must be avoided.

Since the inauguration of President Yoon Seo-gyul in May 2016, who has expressed his desire to improve relations between Japan and South Korea, the Yoon administration has taken various actions to resolve the issue of the former forced laborers. As a result of continuing to search for a solution, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided that the Japanese company, the defendant in the former forced labor lawsuit, was the Foundation for Supporting Victims of Forced Mobilization under the Japanese Empire, which is under the umbrella of the South Korean government and provides support to former forced laborers. The proposal to take over the reparations of the 1980s was a 'potential proposal' for the solution.

At the discussion meeting that day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented an outline of this proposal. It was the first time that the South Korean government had publicly explained the plan. Seo Min Jeong, director general of the Asia-Pacific Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presented a general direction based on the discussions at the public-private council held four times last year and the Japan-Korea consultations. In this, Mr.Seo said that it was difficult to expect compensation from the Japanese company that became the defendant and an apology from the Japanese side, and that it was possible for a third party to take over the payment to the plaintiff. rice field. The plaintiffs demand that the defendant companies contribute funds to the foundation as the "minimum line," but Mr.Seo said, "We are closely negotiating to what extent we can ensure Japan's response" and did not state whether or not it was possible.

On the other hand, the lawyer for the plaintiff expressed his opposition to the solution proposed by the government, stating that "the Japanese side does not bear any costs," and "The relationship of trust between the defense team, support groups, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is complete. is bankrupt."

Prior to the debate, in front of the National Assembly, where a large number of civic groups formed the "Joint Action for Korea-Japan Historical Justice and Peace Action", the largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan Lawmakers from the Justice Party held a press conference. Regarding the solution proposed by the government, it states, "It is a measure to render the judicial branch's judgment powerless, which goes against the separation of the three powers and denies the constitution," and that it "yields to Japanese pressure and seeks South Korea's judicial sovereignty. It's the same as giving up," he criticized.

Also, during the debate, there was a scene in which the spectators yelled back at the proposal, suggesting that there was strong public opposition to the proposal proposed by the South Korean government.

South Korea's Yonhap News said, "Opinions are divided among experts. Some say the government is rushing to find a solution," he said.

On the other hand, the Japanese government has consistently taken the position that the issue of former forced labor was resolved in the 1965 Japan-Korea Claims Agreement. In an interview with the Sankei Shimbun, a senior Foreign Ministry official told the Sankei Shimbun, "We have consistently conveyed that Japan's stance is unwavering. We have no choice but to have South Korea carry it out."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno declined to comment on the plan presented by the South Korean government on the 12th, saying, "I would like to refrain from commenting." In addition, he pointed out that at the Japan-South Korea summit meeting in November last year, they agreed to seek an early resolution of outstanding issues, stating, We will communicate closely," he said.

The Yoon administration hopes to resolve the former forced labor issue and hasten the normalization of Japan-South Korea relations, and hopes to formally announce a solution after this day's debate. However, the plaintiffs' opposition is deep-rooted, and it is unclear whether public opinion can be gathered in the future. If the plaintiffs are forced to proceed without the consent of the plaintiffs, there is a possibility that the opposition to the Yoon administration will intensify, and it seems that there are still a mountain or two to settle.