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Lee Hee-ja, a representative of an association advocating for reparations for those victimized during the Pacific War, holds up a photo of forced labor victim Lee Chun-sik during a press conference by civic organizations and victims of forced labor mobilization by Japan held at the Museum of Japanese Colonial History in Korea in Seoul’s Yongsan District on Thursday. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)

In October 2018, South Korea’s Supreme Court finalized its judgment on compensation for victims of forced labor under Japanese colonial rule. But three years later, the victims are still waiting for an apology and compensation from Japan.

A press conference was held by victims and civic organizations on Thursday at the Museum of Japanese Colonial History in Korea in Seoul’s Yongsan District to mark the third anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling. Participants at the press conference that day urged Japan and the companies involved in the mobilization of forced labor to apologize to the victims and to provide compensation.

“History should not be taken so lightly.”

“If Japan wants the forced labor victims of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Steel, people who have been pursuing legal action between 22 and 26 years, to disappear, then that wish may well come true,” said Lee Guk-eon, the leader of an organization representing victims of forced labor.

He continued, saying that “even if the victims disappear, this problem will not be over.” He urged Japan to change its attitude, saying, “In fact, Korea-Japan relations will worsen, and the levels of distrust between Korean and Japanese people will increase.”

Participants in the press conference hold up pickets calling for Japan to apologize to and compensate victims of forced labor. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)

Regarding Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ appeal to a South Korean court’s order to seize its assets, including six patent rights and two trademark rights, Lee said that “in the absence of a sincere apology, the victims have no intention of postponing their legal action.”

On Nov. 29, 2018, South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled that "Mitsubishi should pay between 100 million to 150 million won in compensation to each plaintiff.” That comes to around US$86,000 to US$128,000.

Mitsubishi, however, maintains that the issue of compensation was settled back in 1965 through the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Those present at the press conference hold up photos of victims of Japan’s forced labor mobilization. With the exception of Lee Chun-sik, all have died without receiving an apology or compensation from Japan. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)

The museum is currently showing a special exhibit reflecting the stories of 19 victims of forced labor during the Japanese colonial era. The exhibition, titled “Remember the Voice of Victims, Remember the History of Forced Labor,” started in July and will run until Nov. 7.

Japanese broadcasting corporation NHK covers the press conference marking the third anniversary of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Japan’s mobilization of forced labor. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)

Lee Guk-eon, representative of a civic organization that supports women who belonged to the Korean Women‘s Volunteer Labor Corps, speaks at the press conference on the third anniversary of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Japan’s mobilization of forced labor. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)

By Kim Hye-yun, staff reporter

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