South Korea, instead of Japanese firms, to compensate families of WWII forced labour victims

The South Korean government announced plans on March 6, 2023 to pay compensation to the families of the victims of forced labour by Japanese colonial forces, an issue that has long clouded relations between Seoul and Tokyo. Critics have condemned the decision as “shameful”. It involves paying victims’ families with a Seoul-backed fund instead of demanding Japanese firms linked to forced labour compensate them. President Yoon Suk-yeol said it’s an effort to mend ties with Japan and focus on regional security in the face of North Korean threats.