Japan welcomes SKorea move on forced labor dispute

Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told that Japan “appreciates” South Korean announcement of a contentious plan to raise local civilian funds to compensate Koreans who won damages in lawsuits against Japanese companies that enslaved them during World War II.

The plan reflects conservative South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s determination to mend frayed ties with Japan and solidify a trilateral Seoul-Tokyo-Washington security cooperation to better cope with North Korea’s nuclear threats.South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin told that the victims would be compensated through a local foundation that would be funded by civilian donations.

He said South Korea and Japan were at a “new window of opportunity” to overcome their past conflicts and build future-oriented relations.