Seoul rejects deal with Tokyo over 'comfort women'

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A 2015 deal signed between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan over compensation for "comfort women" has failed them, the government in Seoul has said.

The ROK said the agreement over compensation for the women forced by Japan into sexual slavery before and during World War II had not considered their needs.

"I apologize for hurting the hearts of the victims, their families, civil society, that support them and all other people," ROK Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said. "The agreement failed to sufficiently reflect a victim-oriented approach, which is the universal standard in resolving human rights issues."

Dec. 28, 2015: A statue of a girl that represents the sexual slavery victims of the Japanese military is seen in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul. /Reuters Photo

A task force spent five months investigating the deal signed between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and former ROK president Park Geun-hye. Park is currently on trial for alleged corruption.

Under the agreement, Tokyo agreed to pay out nearly nine million US dollars to a foundation assisting survivors. The agreement also included an apology for Japanese wartime atrocities.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the deal should be upheld.

"The agreement resolving the issue of 'comfort women' was finally and irreversibly confirmed between the two countries of Japan and South Korea," he said. "It is highly appreciated by the international society. It is extremely important that this agreement be steadily implemented."

Critics contend the apology issued at the time of the deal was insincere and had been orchestrated without the consent, or even knowledge, of the women involved.

The task force investigation echoed those sentiments in its 31-page conclusion issued on Wednesday.

The report notes that "the deal was reached through give-and-take negotiations like an ordinary diplomatic agenda."

Earlier this year, Tokyo recalled its ambassador from the ROK, after statues of comfort women were placed outside of its embassy in Seoul.

And early next year, ROK President Moon Jae-in will have to decide whether to tear up the agreement. It's expected he may wait until after a visit by Abe and the Winter Olympics in February to make an announcement.

Renewed tensions over the issue of comfort women could become an obstacle to closer cooperation between Tokyo and Seoul in dealing with Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.

Washington is counting on both capitals to help its effort to contain the threat coming from DPRK leader Kim Jong Un. The US will need both parties at the table and talk to each other if it has any hopes of doing that.

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