Politics
10:21, 28-Dec-2017
South Korean president says 2015 deal with Japan can't solve 'comfort women' issues
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South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Thursday said that a deal signed with Japan in 2015 over South Korean "comfort women" issues had serious flaws and urged follow-up measures to resolve the issue.
Moon made the remark after a task force of the foreign ministry confirmed the existence of secret agreements between the Japanese and South Korean governments two years ago.
"Along with citizens, I, as president, make it clear again that the comfort women issue can't be settled through the deal," Moon said in a statement, calling the deal had "significant defects in terms of procedures and content."
South Korea's President Moon Jae-In delivers a statement during the 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Republic of Korea Summit in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 13, 2017. /Reuters Photo
South Korea's President Moon Jae-In delivers a statement during the 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Republic of Korea Summit in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 13, 2017. /Reuters Photo
South Korea and Japan signed the controversial deal, under which Japan had apologized and agreed to pay one billion yen (8.8 million US dollars) to a fund that helps sex slavery victims during World War II.
The two governments had agreed the issue would be "irreversibly resolved" if both fulfilled their obligations.
Japan said on Wednesday any attempt by South Korea to revise the 2015 deal would make relations "unmanageable," with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono saying the settlement had resulted from “legitimate negotiations.”
Despite the divisive issue, Moon pledged on Thursday to normalize diplomatic relations with Japan and work toward "future-oriented cooperation" with the neighboring country.
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