Japan asks S.Korea for arbitration over forced labor

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - Japan formally sought arbitration with South Korea over forced labor on Monday.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry said that it asked South Korea for the establishment of an arbitration panel involving members from a third country as provided under a 1965 bilateral accord, a Tokyo-based news agency Kyodo News reported.

In response to Tokyo’s demand, Seoul said it “will look prudently into Japan's request”.

“The government will prudently look into it, factoring in all related elements concerning the move by the Japanese side,” South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

The bilateral relations between Japan and South Korea have been low over the issue of compensation for laborers forced to work during Japan's colonial rule over Korean Peninsula through the end of World War II.

Japanese Foreign Ministry had summoned South Korea’s ambassador in Tokyo Nam Gwan Pyo and "strongly urged" that his country comply with setting up the three-member panel.

The panel, Japan says, would include one person each appointed by Japan and South Korea, who will choose a third person together.

Last October, South Korea's top court ordered a Japanese steelmaker to remunerate Korean workers over forced labor.

A number of such rulings have been handed down against other Japanese companies. However, Japanese side refused to comply with the court orders.

Tokyo claims the issue of compensation was resolved "finally and completely" under the 1965 bilateral accord.