On the 21st of this month, the South Korean Supreme Court (Supreme Court) dismissed the two appeals and ordered both companies to pay compensation, making the judgment final. The former forced labor lawsuit has been the biggest issue of concern between Japan and South Korea for many years.
However, in March of this year, the South Korean government decided to settle a ``third-party compensation'' plan in which a foundation affiliated with the South Korean government would pay compensation to former conscripted workers and their families on behalf of a Japanese company that had been ordered to pay compensation by the Supreme Court. Announcing the plan. Already
Out of the 15 people who have won the lawsuit, payments have so far been made to the families of 11 of the plaintiffs. When announcing the resolution, the South Korean government announced that it would also pay the same amount if the plaintiff wins the pending lawsuit.
According to the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (equivalent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), the foundation will also pay the plaintiff in this case. However, Yonhap News reported, ``The foundation is based on the 1965 Korea-Japan Claims Agreement, which South Korea received.
A fund was created with 4 billion won (approximately 440 million yen) contributed by POSCO, a major steel company, which received financial support, but it is currently insufficient to pay compensation to the victims who have newly won their lawsuits. Without it
"It will be done," he points out. This is the first time in five years since 2018 that the Supreme Court has issued a ruling on a lawsuit brought by former forced laborers. The plaintiff won in the first and second trials, and the Japanese company appealed. Japanese government conscripts former
However, on the 21st, the Supreme Court stated, ``The first instance's judgment held that the plaintiff's individual claims were not within the scope of the agreement.'' There is no mistake in that.”
Pick. We support the second trial that ordered Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Steel to pay compensation and delay damages of 100 million won to 150 million won (approximately 11 million yen to 16 million yen) to each plaintiff.
Ta. As a result, the judgment ordering compensation to the plaintiff became final. Regarding the ruling, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press conference on the 21st, ``It is extremely regrettable as it clearly violates the Japan-Korea Claims Agreement.''
"This is absolutely unacceptable," he said, adding that he had lodged a protest with the South Korean side. In addition, ``The Korean government will ensure that the Korean foundation will pay the judgment money and late interest if the plaintiff wins the case.''
"We have already announced that we plan to do so, and we will respond accordingly." In March of this year, the South Korean government announced a solution to the former forced labor lawsuit issue. Its contents are
, the ``Japanese Imperial Forced Mobilization Victims Support Foundation'', which is affiliated with the South Korean government and supports former forced laborers, will pay the plaintiffs an amount equivalent to compensation, including late interest, on behalf of Japanese companies that were ordered to compensate former forced laborers. When paid to
Something to say. When the South Korean government announced this solution, President Yoon Seo-gyeol said, ``Up until now, the government has considered a method that is consistent with the common interests and future development of both Korea and Japan while respecting the position of the victims.''
This is the result of a search for." So far, the Foundation has completed payments to one surviving plaintiff and 10 bereaved families of the 15 plaintiffs who won the former labor recruitment lawsuit, but the remaining amount remains.
A total of four people, including the defendant and his bereaved family, are demanding an apology or compensation from the Japanese company, and are refusing to accept it. At least 60 former forced labor lawsuits are still pending. Similar Supreme Court decisions may continue in the future.
The South Korean government plans to make payments in the same way to the plaintiffs in this lawsuit, as well as to any new plaintiffs who win similar lawsuits in the future. However, Korean media will run out of financial resources.
points out the possibility. When the South Korean government announced the solution, it said it would collect donations from private companies and set up a fund to pay for it, but so far only major steel company Posco has contributed. korean paper
In an editorial on the 21st, the Hankyoreh pointed out, ``The foundation fund created by the South Korean government for 'third-party repayments' is only 4 billion won.'' Considering the number of new plaintiffs who may win in the future,
``The total compensation amount is estimated to be at least 15 billion won.''
2023/12/22 13:35 KST
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