The historic rapprochement between South Korea and Japan that began this week is creating waves in Korean public opinion. While Seoul announced a compensation plan for victims of forced labor during the Japanese occupation of the peninsula, the opposition organized a rally in the capital to shout its disagreement.
With our correspondent in Seoul, Nicholas Rocca
In front of the town hall of Seoul, they were a few thousand to come to show their anger. All reject victim compensation plan forced labor during the Japanese occupation, as it does not include a financial contribution from Tokyo or an official apology from the Japanese government. The South Korean government has in fact provided for a public foundation financed by Korean companies to compensate the victims.
Unacceptable for Kim Hyeong-cheon: “ It is very humiliating for us, because the government is making a unilateral announcement with Japan, regardless of the opinion of the majority of the population. There is no reflection on our past with Japan, neither on our side nor on theirs. It would be good to communicate with Japan, but not in the way they do, this method is very humiliating and I came to express my anger. »
In front of the town hall of Seoul, several thousand people came to shout their opposition to the compensation plan for victims of forced labor during the Japanese occupation. pic.twitter.com/Ghcah7E01N
— Nicolas Rocca (@lenicorocca) March 11, 2023
” I think he’s Japanese, he’s not our president »
Next week, for the first time in 12 years, a South Korean head of state will visit Japan. President Yoon Suk-yeol’s trip does not fail to make Kim Chang-dae react:
“ I don’t want him to come back, he just has to live there. I think he’s Japanese, not our president. I have come to express my feelings about this situation, which is unacceptable, because the president has acted in favor of Japan, against the will and consent of its people. »
According to the Gallup Institute, 60% of South Koreans oppose compensation plan proposed by the government.
► To read also: In South Korea, former “comfort women” dismissed from their complaint against Japan