I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Japan hints at changing stance on compensation for wartime victims
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff reporter
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade welcomed the Japanese chief secretary's latest positive remarks regarding compensation for South Korean war victims, Thursday.
The ministry said it will look into the meaning behind his statements and if they will represent Japan's official position.
Ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun told reporters that Chief Secretary Sengoku Yoshito is a key government official who is in a position to represent Japan's official stance on major issues such as post-war compensation.
"But it is not clear at the moment if his remarks over the historical issue reflect Japan's official position on the matter. Therefore, Seoul will consult with Tokyo about this when the opportunity arises in the future," he said.
A day earlier, the secretary hinted that Japan may apply political consideration when dealing with post-war compensation.
He was quoted as saying that Japan's response to Koreans who were enlisted or conscripted forcibly into the Japanese military during the colonial period was insufficient.
During a luncheon meeting with foreign correspondents in Tokyo, Sengoku reportedly said that the Japanese government needs to clarify its position on post-war compensation.
Approximately one million Koreans were enlisted or conscripted into the military or forced to serve the military as "comfort" women during World War II.
The Japanese government claimed that the victims' rights to file for compensation against Japan individually for the forceful mobilization expired after Korea and Japan signed a treaty to deal with petitions regarding post-war compensation in 1965.
Under the accord, Japan provided Korea with $300 million in aid and $500 million in loans on condition that any complaints or petition regarding post-war compensation would be denied.
Despite the clause, whether or not those who were enlisted or conscripted to the military are entitled to compensation individually remained controversial among legal experts.
Sengoku's remarks suggested that Japan may reconsider its past stance on post-war compensation and pay back materially those who were victimized during the colonial period.
"I am aware that Secretary Sengoku has deep insight into the history affairs," spokesman Kim said, declining to elaborate on the ministry's position over the comments made by the Japanese official.