South Korea to Compensate Japan Wartime Forced Labor Victims

7 March 2023 01:14

Civic groups gathered outside the South Korean Foreign Ministry building on Monday to protest against a contentious plan to raise local civilian funds, to compensate Koreans who were enslaved during World War II.

The plan reflects conservative South Korean President Yoon suk yeo l’s determination to mend frayed ties with Japan and solidify a trilateral Seoul-Tokyo-Washington security cooperation to better cope with North Korea’s nuclear threats.

Earlier in the day, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin told a televised news conference the victims would be compensated through a local foundation that would be funded by civilian donations.

The plan drew an immediate backlash from former forced laborers and their supporters, who have demanded direct compensation from the Japanese companies.