"Former Requisitioned Labor Agreement, Accelerating Trilateral Cooperation among Japan, the U.S. and South Korea" = Foreign Expert

The solution proposed by the South Korean government of Yoon Seo-gyeol to the former forced laborers is being evaluated as an opportunity not only to normalize relations between Japan and South Korea but also to strengthen trilateral cooperation between Japan, the United States and South Korea. .

In a joint commentary released on the 6th (local time), Victor Cha, director of the Korea Department of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and Christopher Johnston, the director of the Japan Department, said, "The agreement will not only strengthen the foundations of bilateral relations, but it will also benefit the United States." The reason for this is that the US will be able to form a three-way cooperation based on the restoration of bilateral relations.

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (equivalent to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs) said on the 6th that the Foundation for Supporting Victims of Forced Mobilization under the Japanese Empire under the Ministry of Public Administration and Safety would first pay reparations to former conscripted workers, and then from Japanese companies related to former conscription. I presented a "third party repayment proposal" to receive donations. This is an alternative to a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that held Japanese companies such as Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries liable. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida replied, "I appreciate it as a way to restore the health of Japan-South Korea relations."

Victor Cha and Christopher Johnston highly praised the solution, as Japan and South Korea attempted to restore relations strategically in light of the international security situation. Unlike the 2015 agreement on the former comfort women, both leaders are at the beginning of their terms, so there is plenty of time to reach an agreement.

"We need to accelerate trilateral cooperation between Japan, the United States, and South Korea on the basis of the agreement, and send a strong message to North Korea, China, Russia, and other countries" the two said. They also said that the US should invite South Korea to the working group of the Quad (a security consultation body consisting of four Indo-Pacific countries, including the US, Japan, Australia, and India) in the fields of infrastructure, climate change, and new technologies.