Japan-South Korea Tensions Over Wartime Sexual Slavery Debate

Seoul, Sep 15 (AP) - Japan has defended its stance on the issue of wartime sexual slavery following criticism from UN investigators. The Japanese government condemned recent South Korean court rulings demanding Japanese compensation as breaches of international law. South Korea responded by urging Japan to confront historical truths, noting that Tokyo’s non-compliance with these rulings has deprived victims of compensation.

These exchanges highlight the ongoing discord between the two closely allied Asian nations regarding historical grievances, despite attempts to stabilize their relationship. The UN had reached out to Japan, South Korea, and several other nations, including China, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and East Timor, regarding alleged failures to provide "access to truth, justice, remedy, and reparations for survivors" of wartime sexual slavery. Japan and South Korea's responses were recently made available on a UN website.

UN investigators had previously urged Japan to address concerns over inadequate past investigations and reparations, its evasion of state and legal responsibility, and its refusal to comply with rulings from South Korean courts between 2021 and 2025. Japan maintained that all reparations issues were settled by earlier agreements, notably the 1965 treaty normalizing relations and a 2015 deal to resolve the sexual slavery issue.

Japan’s statement from its Geneva mission claimed that recent Korean court decisions breached the principle of state immunity. It pressed Seoul to address the alleged breaches of international law. Japan has consistently rejected South Korean rulings demanding reparations for sexual slavery and wartime forced labor, arguing they violate sovereign immunity and contradict the 1965 treaty. However, South Korean courts assert that sovereign immunity does not cover crimes against humanity or wrongful acts against South Korean nationals.

Amid Japan’s reluctance to comply with court decisions, some South Koreans, including activists and survivors like Lee Yong-soo, have suggested referring the matter to the UN's International Court of Justice. No action has yet been taken. Historians estimate that tens of thousands of women from Asia, mostly Koreans, were forced into military brothels during wartime. Of the 239 victims registered with Seoul, only six remain alive today.

Japan has expressed regret for wartime sexual slavery and took actions in 1995, such as a study and establishing a fund from private contributions to compensate victims across Asia, including the Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan. This fund lasted until 2007. However, many South Koreans feel Japan’s efforts lacked sincerity and legal acknowledgment, especially under conservative Japanese leaders who downplayed Japan's wartime past.

Despite historically strained relations, South Korea and Japan have recently been working to improve ties and strengthen trilateral cooperation with the United States, partially in response to regional challenges like the North Korean nuclear threat. In a rare diplomatic move, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo before traveling to Washington for a summit with President Donald Trump. This highlighted how Trump's policy approaches are influencing the two East Asian countries’ diplomatic dynamics. (AP) GRS GRS

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