Cigarette distribution list and temporary return certificate revealed the Japanese government’s generous response
(Mayo Haneda: Business Writer in Korea)
On January 12, 2023, a public forum was held in South Korea on the issue of former forced laborers (the issue of former workers from the Korean Peninsula). On the day of the event, there was conspicuous jeering from civic groups and other groups that packed the venue, but the Yoon Sung-ryeol administration began coordinating with the intention of announcing a solution plan in advance by the end of the month, in which South Korean foundations would take over the compensation of Japanese companies. It is said that
Will this issue be resolved easily?
In South Korea, the Moon Jae-in administration was flooded with anti-Japanese claims by leftist civic groups. However, recently, there have been many suspicions regarding the people’s “anti-Japanese fatigue” and Ms. Yoon Mi-hyang (former representative of the Korean Council of Justice), who served as the representative of a comfort women support group for many years. Public interest in these issues is waning.
On January 6, 2023, the prosecution demanded a five-year prison sentence for Yun Mika, who was accused of embezzlement in the course of business. Her sentence will be handed down on February 10 of the same year.
Shortly following this demand, there was a lawmaker’s aide who was exposed as a North Korean spy. Ms. Yun Mika is also attracting public attention from another aspect, as Korean Internet media reported that the person was “Mika Yun’s aide.”
Incidentally, her husband and his sister were found guilty in 1993 of North Korean espionage charges, but were acquitted following requesting a retrial under the Moon Jae-in administration.
The male aide, who was caught as a North Korean spy, has worked together with Yumeno Nito, the representative director of Colabo, and has become a hot topic in Japan.
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Partly because of these events, South Korea is increasingly moving away from the issues of forced labor and comfort women.
Against this backdrop, the South Korean media unanimously picked up the cigarette rationing forms published by civic groups as evidence that the conscription was forcible. The Sado Gold Mine, which Japan aims to register as a World Heritage Site, was targeted before the public debate on the issue of former forced laborers to attract public attention.