hankyoreh

A leader of a civic group delivers a letter of protest to the National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang regarding his proposed solution to the forced labor issue on Nov. 27. (Yonhap News)

Various groups are hard at work to find a solution to the issue of Koreans into forced labor during Japan’s colonial occupation, with potential solutions including one proposed by South Korean National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang, another proposed by the South Korean government, and a third that’s being drafted by victims who are filing lawsuits for compensation. But Moon’s proposal, if it becomes law, could provoke a major backlash because of strong opposition from NGOs linked to the victims of forced labor.

Moon’s associates told the Hankyoreh on Nov. 27 that they are working to pass a bill that would compensate the victims of forced labor with contributions from South Korean and Japanese companies, donations from the public, and the 6 billion won (US$5.09 million) that remains of Japan’s contribution to the Reconciliation and Healing Foundation, which was established by a 2015 agreement between South Korea and Japan and later dissolved.

Media reports have suggested that these funds would be the basis for establishing a “Memory and Human Rights Foundation,” which would collect 300 billion won (US$254.28 million) to be paid to the 1,500 people who are participating in forced labor lawsuits, with each person receiving 200 million won (US$169,464). But Moon said that was “just a rough draft” and that “the current plan and amounts are much different.” Moon met privately with victims of forced labor on Nov. 26 and heard the opinions of lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties who have sponsored related legislation on Nov. 27.

Though Japan has been sending positive signals about Moon’s proposal, the victims who were awarded damages by the South Korean Supreme Court and related NGOs are protesting strongly. “Moon Hee-sang’s proposal isn’t an attempt to reach an appropriate solution from a historical perspective that accounts for all the victims of forced labor, but an attempt to stamp out the sparks of diplomatic conflict between South Korea and Japan,” objected a source connected with the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

On Wednesday afternoon, NGOs representing the victims — one being the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan and another being Joint Action for Resolving the Issue of Compulsory Mobilization and Reckoning with Our History with Japan — held a press conference in front of the entrance to the National Assembly. “Moon Hee-sang’s proposal is an attempt to obscure the responsibility of the Japanese government and companies and to revive the nullified 2015 comfort women agreement. Stop insulting the victims,” the groups said. Demonstrators also visited the National Assembly and delivered a letter of protest to Moon.

In a separate effort to make the debate more fruitful, victims of forced labor whose lawsuit is pending are drawing up a joint list of demands. “Our demands are based on the unchanging assumption that Japan acknowledges the facts and makes an apology. We’ll be releasing the list of demands in December,” said a source who’s taking part in that lawsuit.

In a related story, victims who haven’t received any assistance from the government and can’t afford to join a lawsuit are also showing considerable interest in the efforts to find a solution. Moon’s office had set up 40 chairs for a meeting on Nov. 26 at the Foundation for Supporting Victims of Compulsory Mobilization During the Japanese Colonial Period in Seoul. But more than 100 people actually attended, with some complaining loudly when they weren’t allowed into the meeting.

“I’ve received public recognition for being a victim of forced labor, but I haven’t received any help on the grounds that I came back alive. Only a tiny fraction [of the victims] are able to file a lawsuit. If only a few of the victims receive assistance, which is what would happen under Moon Hee-sang’s plan, this dispute is sure to fester. Meaningful measures should be taken, such as providing us with veteran benefits,” said Hong Yeong-suk, chair of the Association of Bereaved Families of Korean Victims of the War in the Pacific, who had come from Gangwon Province.

But not all the victims are on the same page. Some of the victims and groups representing the families of the deceased have filed a petition expressing support for Moon’s proposal, saying, “We call for the enactment of Moon Hee-sang’s bill, which will enable the victims to receive compensation and regain their dignity.” It’s estimated that between 1.5 and 2 million Koreans performed forced labor during the Japanese colonial occupation.

While the South Korean government proposed a “one plus one” plan to Japan this past June, suggesting that the lawsuit plaintiffs could be compensated with donations from South Korean and Japanese companies, it still hasn’t drafted a concrete plan. Instead, it’s focusing on canvassing the opinions of victims while pledging to abide by five principles, which include respecting the Supreme Court’s decision and obtaining consent from the victims.

The government appears to be keeping its distance from the Moon proposal. “There are aspects of Moon Hee-sang’s plan that clash with the Supreme Court’s decision, including the plan’s failure to hold Japan directly responsible. The plan isn’t being seriously considered by the government,” one official said.

By Kim So-youn, Lee Wan, and Kim Min-je, staff reporters

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