[Photo] Korean group launches signature campaign to void Yoon’s forced labor plan

Posted on : 2023-03-14 11:00 KST Modified on : 2023-03-14 11:10 KST

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“We cannot accept a solution that leaves the victims weeping while the perpetrators get off scot-free,” the group stressed

Activists with Joint Action for Historical Justice and Peaceful Korea-Japan Relations collect signatures in downtown Seoul on March 9 to void the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s proposed plan for compensating victims of Japan’s forced labor mobilization. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)

“Do you have a moment to sign your name? We’re asking people to sign to voice their opposition to the administration’s ‘solution’ on the forced labor mobilization issue.”

The group Joint Action for Historical Justice and Peaceful Korea-Japan Relations has begun a nationwide campaign to collect signatures in favor of voiding the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s “solution” to the issue of forced labor mobilization during the Japanese occupation.

Launched Thursday morning at Gwanghwamun Intersection in central Seoul, the campaign is scheduled to expand to the national level, including online signature-gathering activities.

Around midday on Friday, members of Joint Action gathered at Gwanghwamun Intersection to denounce the plan announced by the Yoon administration on March 6 for a resolution to the forced labor mobilization issue, which they said was a violation of judicial sovereignty that disregards the ruling of South Korea’s own Supreme Court.

A person signs their name to Joint Action for Historical Justice and Peaceful Korea-Japan Relations’ signature campaign to void the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s proposed plan for compensating victims of Japan’s forced labor mobilization. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)

They called on passersby to take part in the signature campaign to overturn a “humiliating solution” that included no apology from the Japanese government or compensation from companies implicated in war crimes.

“We cannot accept a solution that leaves the victims weeping while the perpetrators get off scot-free,” they stressed.

“Please take part in this signature campaign to guarantee the legal rights of our grandparents victimized by forced labor mobilization and uphold their human dignity,” they urged.

These photographs were taken during that campaign.

An activist with Joint Action for Historical Justice and Peaceful Korea-Japan Relations holds up a sign asking for passersby to sign their campaign to void the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s proposed plan for compensating victims of Japan’s forced labor mobilization. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)

People sign their names to Joint Action for Historical Justice and Peaceful Korea-Japan Relations’ signature campaign to void the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s proposed plan for compensating victims of Japan’s forced labor mobilization. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)