Panelists attend a public hearing to explore solutions for the forced labor issue between South Korea and Seoul at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Jan. 12. Korea Times photo by Choi Joo-yeon

Yoon's efforts to improve relations show signs of progress

By Nam Hyun-woo

Japan is considering expressing an apology to South Korea and other neighboring countries by upholding its past statements repenting its wartime atrocities if Seoul finalizes a plan to create a South Korean foundation to compensate forced labor victims here on behalf of Japanese companies, according to Kyodo News.

The news agency said, Saturday, that Tokyo is considering showing "deep remorse" and "feelings of apology" based on past statements, such as one made by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama in 1995.

This will be carried out by releasing a statement or holding a press conference, if Seoul officially announces that a South Korean foundation will compensate forced labor victims on behalf of two Japanese companies.

Kyodo reported that this is aimed at supporting the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, which seeks to improve the two countries' frayed ties and strengthen trilateral security cooperation between South Korea, Japan and the United States to counter North Korea's increasing nuclear and missile threats.

The forced labor issue from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule over Korea is the main reason that caused Seoul-Tokyo ties to sink to the lowest level in recent years. In 2018, the victims won their legal battle against Japanese companies after South Korea's Supreme Court ordered those firms to provide compensation.

This triggered Japan to restrict its South Korea-bound exports of key industrial materials in 2019. The Moon Jae-in administration at the time responded with hardline measures, which caused bilateral relations to remain chilly.

After Yoon took office last year, his administration has been making efforts to improve ties with Japan. Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have even held casual meetings and official summits.

Despite some victims' opposition, the South Korean government said in a public hearing on Jan. 12 that it was considering having a South Korean foundation compensate the victims on behalf of the Japanese companies ― Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Steel Corp. At the same time, Seoul asked Tokyo to sincerely engage in addressing this issue.

Kyodo reported that Japan also "eyes allowing Japanese firms to donate to the South Korean foundation if the foundation does not demand money from the two companies."

Against this backdrop, Japan's Sankei reported Sunday that Tokyo is considering easing its export restrictions on Seoul, as the talks over the forced labor issue are showing progress.

Both issues are anticipated to be discussed during a meeting between the two countries' senior foreign ministry officials on Monday in Seoul.