Japan: ”South Korea will respond with the measures it has taken so far” regarding the impact of South Korean elections on the settlement of the former forced labor issue - South Korean media

Regarding the impact of the results of the South Korean parliamentary election on the lawsuits related to former forced laborers, the Japanese government said, "The South Korean government has decided to continue with the current settlement.
We will continue to respond through third-party repayments."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press conference on the morning of the 11th, "With the ruling party failing to secure a majority, it has become difficult to fundamentally resolve the forced labor issue through legislation. How will the Japanese government respond?"
In response to a question about whether the Korean government will continue to take measures based on the measures announced in March last year, he said, "The Korean government is taking measures based on the measures announced in March last year, and I believe that it will continue to do so." He added, "The Korean foundation will pay the judgment money and late interest to the plaintiffs.
Regarding the victory of the main opposition Democratic Party in the general election in South Korea, he said, "I am aware of the reports, but since elections are a matter related to interference in the domestic affairs of other countries, I will refrain from commenting."
"However, he said, "Japan and South Korea should cooperate as partners to address various issues in the international community, and they are also important neighboring countries."
He continued, "Since last year, dialogue and cooperation between Japan and South Korea has improved qualitatively in various fields, including politics, economy, and culture.
"The number of Japanese and Korean troops has expanded significantly in terms of quantity," he said, adding, "In a tough strategic environment, cooperation between Japan, the United States and South Korea has also progressed in a multi-layered manner."
"We will work to further strengthen and broaden cooperation between our two countries," he said, adding, "We will continue to communicate closely with the South Korean side so that the people of both countries can continue to feel the improvement in relations."