Justice Group Urges South Korea to Demand Japan Comply with Compensation Rulings for Wartime Sex Slavery Victims

The Justice for Peace and Human Rights (JPHR) has strongly urged the South Korean government to take decisive action regarding historical justice issues, specifically demanding that Japan comply with court rulings ordering compensation for victims of wartime sex slavery. The organization criticized the current administration, stating it has taken no measures concerning Japan since its inauguration and has failed to address the sensitive issue of 'comfort women' in recent bilateral summits.

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The South Korean government's efforts are non-existent, even though the defendant, Japan, refuses to execute the rulings.

In a statement released ahead of the World War Against Forced Laborers Day on August 14th, JPHR pointed out that President Lee Jae-myung made no mention of the 'comfort women' issue or other historical justice matters in his August 15th commemorative address. The group also noted that the 'comfort women' and forced labor issues were excluded from the agenda during multiple South Korea-Japan summits. JPHR highlighted that South Korean courts have issued rulings in 2021, 2023, and 2025, acknowledging Japan's responsibility and ordering compensation to victims. However, these rulings remain unenforced due to Japan's refusal, with no apparent effort from the South Korean government to facilitate their implementation.

JPHR asserted that the public elected the current administration to exercise national sovereignty assertively. The organization called for a clear repudiation of the "2015 South Korea-Japan Agreement," which Japan frequently cites as a resolution to all issues. They insisted that the government must unequivocally demand that Japan respect and implement the South Korean court's rulings and undertake all necessary diplomatic and policy efforts to ensure compliance.

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The people elected the Lee Jae-myung government to see it exercise South Korea's sovereignty with pride. Japan's government must clearly rectify the flaws of the '2015 South Korea-Japan Agreement,' which it brandishes like a treasured sword, claiming all issues are resolved.

Furthermore, JPHR addressed the recent amendment to the "Act on Protection, Support, and Commemoration of Victims of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery," which took effect on June 11th. This law imposes penalties for spreading false information about the victims' experiences. While acknowledging this legal change, JPHR stressed that no action has been taken against Japan itself. The organization urged the establishment of an effective response system to prevent the spread of hateful rhetoric that insults victims and distorts history, noting that such sentiments are prevalent online, in educational settings, and within the international community.

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Although the law has been amended to prohibit defamation of victims, no action has been taken against perpetrator Japan.