Embassy gathers firms operating in Korea
By Yi Whan-woo
The Japanese Embassy in Korea had a closed-door meeting with 80 people from 70 Japanese firms operating in Korea, Thursday, to discuss "countering" a recent Supreme Court ruling here on forced labor during Japan's occupation of the peninsula, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday.
The meeting came amid diplomatic tension between the two countries over the ruling last month.
The court ordered Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp, a Japanese steelmaker, to compensate four Koreans who were forced to work for the firm during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rules.
This has sparked concerns in Tokyo that more Japanese companies may be asked to pay compensation, if they have a record of using Korean slave workers.
During the meeting, Kohei Maruyama, an embassy official, is said to have underscored Tokyo's priority to protect Japanese firms' legitimate economic activities and to come up with unwavering countermeasures."
"We are aware of the fact that Japan held a meeting intended for its own business people," a foreign ministry official said on condition of anonymity. "We've watching the case closely."
The official said the government's view "should be understood in a broader context" when asked whether the ministry will take any action.
Korea has been asking Japan to cope with the court's ruling wisely and not to hamper the future-oriented development of bilateral relations.
In a statement issued earlier Thursday, ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk said the government "can't contain its disappointment."
This response came after Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono criticized the verdict, saying it upends "the legal foundation of relations between the two nations from the root."
Kono also warned that ties will be "very thorny" unless Seoul deals with the matter in an appropriate manner.
Noh responded that the Japanese government's conduct "was of no help at all in resolving the problem."
Meanwhile, some analysts said the embassy's closed-door meeting was intended to encourage Japanese firms to ignore the ruling and to keep up with Tokyo's Korea policy.
Japan claims that all compensation stemming from colonial rule was settled in 1965 when Seoul and Tokyo normalized diplomatic relations.
"What was said to be discussed at the closed-door meeting is nothing. But the meeting itself is meaningful considering it was held in the heart of the Korean capital," said Ha Jong-moon, a professor of Japanese Studies at Hanshin University. "I'd say Japan is trying to press Korea while bringing together relevant groups including businessmen."
Lee Won-duk, a Kookmin University professor, warned the meeting could worsen bilateral relations although it might facilitate communication between the Japanese government and enterprises.
By Yi Whan-woo
The Japanese Embassy in Korea had a closed-door meeting with 80 people from 70 Japanese firms operating in Korea, Thursday, to discuss "countering" a recent Supreme Court ruling here on forced labor during Japan's occupation of the peninsula, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday.
The meeting came amid diplomatic tension between the two countries over the ruling last month.
The court ordered Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp, a Japanese steelmaker, to compensate four Koreans who were forced to work for the firm during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rules.
This has sparked concerns in Tokyo that more Japanese companies may be asked to pay compensation, if they have a record of using Korean slave workers.
During the meeting, Kohei Maruyama, an embassy official, is said to have underscored Tokyo's priority to protect Japanese firms' legitimate economic activities and to come up with unwavering countermeasures."
"We are aware of the fact that Japan held a meeting intended for its own business people," a foreign ministry official said on condition of anonymity. "We've watching the case closely."
The official said the government's view "should be understood in a broader context" when asked whether the ministry will take any action.
Korea has been asking Japan to cope with the court's ruling wisely and not to hamper the future-oriented development of bilateral relations.
In a statement issued earlier Thursday, ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk said the government "can't contain its disappointment."
This response came after Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono criticized the verdict, saying it upends "the legal foundation of relations between the two nations from the root."
Kono also warned that ties will be "very thorny" unless Seoul deals with the matter in an appropriate manner.
Noh responded that the Japanese government's conduct "was of no help at all in resolving the problem."
Meanwhile, some analysts said the embassy's closed-door meeting was intended to encourage Japanese firms to ignore the ruling and to keep up with Tokyo's Korea policy.
Japan claims that all compensation stemming from colonial rule was settled in 1965 when Seoul and Tokyo normalized diplomatic relations.
"What was said to be discussed at the closed-door meeting is nothing. But the meeting itself is meaningful considering it was held in the heart of the Korean capital," said Ha Jong-moon, a professor of Japanese Studies at Hanshin University. "I'd say Japan is trying to press Korea while bringing together relevant groups including businessmen."
Lee Won-duk, a Kookmin University professor, warned the meeting could worsen bilateral relations although it might facilitate communication between the Japanese government and enterprises.
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