The plaintiffs in a trial in South Korea that resulted in a ruling ordering Hitachi Zosen Corporation to pay compensation for “recruitment” during the Pacific War have revealed that they have received a deposit made by the company to the court to be used for compensation. This is the first time in a series of trials that the plaintiffs have received funds from a Japanese company.
In December of last year, a court ruling ordering Hitachi Zosen to pay compensation in a trial over “commandeering” became final and binding in South Korea, after which the plaintiffs petitioned the court to seize the deposit money deposited by the company, which the court approved.
On April 20, the plaintiffs stated that the district court in Seoul had approved the procedure for withdrawing the deposit and that they had received the money to be used for compensation.
The deposit was intended to prevent the seizure of Hitachi Zosen’s assets in South Korea and other enforcement actions, and was deposited with the court in the amount of 60 million won (about 6.7 million Japanese yen).
This is the first time that funds from a Japanese company have been transferred to the plaintiffs’ side in a series of trials concerning the “commandeering” of Korean citizens.
The South Korean government has a policy that the government-affiliated foundation will pay the plaintiffs, whose judgments have been finalized in a series of trials, on behalf of the Japanese companies.
A spokesman for the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at a regular press conference on March 20, “This case is one in which the defendant company deposited the deposit money in the course of the trial, and the procedure was carried out in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations. There is no change in the government’s position that the foundation will pay the plaintiffs.
Hitachi Zosen: “There is nothing we can comment on.”
Hitachi Zosen stated, “We have not been able to confirm the facts, so there is nothing we can comment on.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi: “Extremely Regrettable; Appropriate Action Needed”
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi said at a press conference this afternoon, “It is extremely regrettable that a Japanese company has been put at an unjust disadvantage based on a judgment that clearly violates Article 2 of the Japan-Korea Claims Agreement. We demand that appropriate measures be taken based on the measures announced by the South Korean government last March.
He added, “It is the government’s natural responsibility to continue to properly manage the various concerns that exist between Japan and South Korea and to maintain close communication with the other party, and we will respond appropriately based on our consistent position.
When asked by reporters whether he had protested to the South Korean government, he stated, “We will convey our severe protest to the South Korean government in a proper manner.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
