Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono has called the South Korean Supreme Court ruling extremely regrettable and totally unacceptable.
South Korea’s top court on Thursday ordered Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to compensate Korean men who say they were forced to work in factories in Japan during World War Two.
Kono said in his statement on Thursday that the ruling obviously violates a 1965 agreement between Japan and South Korea that settled the issue of the right to seek compensation. He said the ruling inflicts unjustifiable damages and costs on the Japanese company and overturns the legal foundation of the friendly and cooperative relations the 2 countries have developed since they normalized diplomatic ties in 1965.
Kono reiterated his demand that South Korea take appropriate measures, including immediate actions to remedy such breach of international law.
He said if such measures are not taken, Japan will examine all possible options, including filing a complaint with an international court, and take resolute actions to protect legitimate business activities by Japanese companies.
The Foreign Ministry has summoned the South Korean Ambassador to Japan to protest the ruling.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries issued a statement calling the ruling extremely regrettable and a violation of the bilateral agreement.