South Korea on Monday announced the proposal of a resolution to put an end to its wartime labour disputes with Japan in an attempt to improve relations between both countries. The government of Seoul led by conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol announced plans to raise local civilian funds from people doing business in the country to compensate Koreans, reported news agency AP. But what is the forced labour wartime dispute between South Korea and Japan?
Here is all you need to know:
What Is The Forced Labour Wartime Dispute?
The wartime forced labour compensation is regarding the monetary payments to Koreans who were used and treated as slaves and forced labourers during Japanese rule in World War II.
The compensation will be provided to people who won damages in lawsuits earlier against the Japanese organisations who had treated Koreans as slaves during Tokyo's 35-year-long colonial regime over the Korean Peninsula, as reported by AP.
Koreans who were forced into labour work by Japanese companies during World War II will also be given the compensation amount, reported The New York Times.
Besides the issue of forced labour, the enslavement of South Korean women as “comfort women” in Japanese military brothels, has been the cause of strain in South Korean-Japanese ties for decades.
Tokyo claims that all the compensation related to wartime issues was settled in the 1965 treaty. Previously, the country had criticised a 2018 ruling of South Korea's Supreme Court where it ordered two Japanese organisations to ensure proper compensation to former forced labourers, as cited by AP.
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Why Did South Korea Take The Step?
The current decision by the South Korean government led by its conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol is aimed at improving the historically bad relations with Japan. In a televised news conference, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin informed the civilian donations will be used to fund a local foundation in order to compensate the victims, as cited by AP.
He described this as "the last opportunity" to overcome their past disputes and issues.
"If we compare it to a glass of water, (I) think that the glass is more than half full with water. We expect that the glass will be further filled moving forward based on Japan’s sincere response," said Jin, as cited by AP
Jin termed the move as a "new window of opportunity" to help resolve their disputes from the past and to focus on future relations between both countries.
How Will Victims Be Compensated?
Foreign Minister Park Jin did not specify much about the type of foundation and its operations.
Although, the Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilisation by Imperial Japan chairperson Shim kyu-sun said the funds will come from business organisations in South Korea that enjoyed benefits from the 1965 Seoul-tokyo treaty, which was brought o ensure normal relations, mentioned the news agency AP.
Japan had given millions of dollars as economic aid and loans to Seoul as part of the 1965 treaty. This money was given to assist Seoul in economic development and related activities.
US Response On South Korea's Decision
US President Joe Biden expressed his support for the move describing it as a new chapter of cooperation and partnership between the two countries.
Biden added his government was looking forward to making the trilateral ties stronger and better.
In an official statement, Biden said both Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida “are taking a critical step to forge a future for the Korean and Japanese people that is safer, more secure, and more prosperous.”