In a stark revelation of lingering historical animosities, Japan and South Korea have exchanged pointed letters to the United Nations, exposing deep divisions over the issue of wartime sexual slavery. Japan's response defended its position, labeling South Korean court rulings on victim compensation as breaches of international law, while South Korea urged Tokyo to confront its painful history and fulfill obligations to survivors. The exchanges, made public on Monday, highlight the fragility of bilateral ties despite recent efforts to mend relations amid regional security concerns.
The dispute traces back to a July inquiry by UN human rights rapporteurs, who contacted Japan, South Korea, and several other nations—including China, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and East Timor—citing failures to provide truth, justice, and reparations for victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery system. Only Japan and South Korea's responses were published on the UN website, underscoring their central roles in the ongoing controversy.
UN investigators specifically pressed Japan on the inadequacy of prior probes and reparations, its evasion of legal accountability, and non-compliance with three South Korean court decisions from 2021 to 2025 mandating compensation for victims. Japan's permanent mission in Geneva countered by invoking the 1965 treaty that normalized relations and a 2015 agreement aimed at resolving the sexual slavery issue, asserting that all claims were conclusively settled. The statement accused Seoul of violating state immunity principles and called for corrective measures to uphold international law.
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South Korea's reply, in contrast, implored Japan to "squarely face up to our painful history," emphasizing how Tokyo's defiance of court orders has left victims without redress. This back-and-forth illustrates the persistent chasm between the two U.S. allies, who have historically paused their feuds to foster stability but continue to grapple with the legacy of Japan's colonial rule over Korea from 1910 to 1945.
Historians estimate that tens of thousands of women across Asia, predominantly Korean, were coerced into sexual slavery in Japanese military brothels during World War II, enduring unimaginable atrocities. Japan has issued apologies and regrets, notably through a 1995 study that led to a private fund for victims in South Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan, which operated until 2007. However, many South Koreans view these efforts as insincere, lacking official acknowledgment of legal responsibility—a sentiment amplified by Japanese conservative leaders who have minimized wartime atrocities.
The 2015 deal, intended as a "final and irreversible" resolution, provided funding for survivors but faltered due to public backlash in South Korea over perceived concessions without genuine atonement. At the time, 46 of 239 registered Korean victims were alive; today, only six remain, their pleas for justice growing more urgent with time. South Korean courts have ruled that sovereign immunity does not shield states from accountability for crimes against humanity, directly challenging Japan's stance.
In the wake of Japan's non-compliance, survivors like 95-year-old Lee Yong-soo and legal experts have advocated for joint referral of the dispute to the International Court of Justice, though no progress has been made. This impasse not only perpetuates victim suffering but also strains diplomatic efforts.
Despite these tensions, Japan and South Korea have prioritized cooperation in recent years, driven by shared threats from North Korea's nuclear ambitions and China's regional assertiveness. Trilateral alliances with the United States have gained momentum, evidenced by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's August visit to Tokyo for talks with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, followed by a Washington summit with President Donald Trump. This unusual itinerary reflected Trump's push for a recalibrated global trade and security framework, pulling the neighbors into closer alignment.
Yet, the UN letters reveal that historical grievances remain a flashpoint, potentially undermining trust and cooperation. As both nations navigate these waters, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that honors the victims and strengthens Asia-Pacific stability. The path forward may require renewed dialogue, perhaps through multilateral forums, to bridge the enduring rift and achieve true reconciliation.
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