Japanese confirm that 4,727 Koreans applied for funds
Published: 30 Dec. 2009, 21:32
TOKYO - The Japanese government has confirmed that 4,727 conscripted Korean laborers have subscribed for pensions.
This information comes after news broke last week that the Japanese government sent 99 yen ($1.07 or 1,256 won) in welfare pension refunds to seven Korean women who were forced into compulsory labor in Japan for 11 months during World War II.
Japan’s Asahi Shimbun reported yesterday that Japan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed 4,727 out of 40,000 Koreans who claimed to have been forced to work in Japan during the Japanese colonization period have subscribed for pensions.
The Korean government’s Truth Commission on Forced Mobilization under the Japanese Imperialism established in 2004 offers financial compensation of 800,000 won for forced workers annually and 20 million won to their families. Over 160,000 Koreans filed damage reports with the commission. Since 90 percent of the people who filed damage reports lack documents proving that they are eligible for the pension, the committee sent a request to Japanese government to confirm whether the 40,000 had applied for their pensions. The lack of documents slows the committee’s procedure for providing financial assistance to victims. Verification from the Japanese government’s Social Insurance Agency is crucial, committee officials said. Committee officials said they will request Japanese government verifications on 120,000 people.
Japan’s Social Insurance Agency’s labor worker’s pension insurance began in 1942. People, regardless their nationalities, who worked at Japanese companies, military factories and coal mines subscribed to the pension by taking a partial cut in their salaries. Those who paid the pension insurance are eligible to receive pensions after retirement. But most Korean conscripted workers were unaware of the existence of the insurance and quickly returned to the Korean Peninsula after Korea was liberated.
With the SIA’s confirmation of 4,727 workers, it now becomes inevitable that the pension fund would become a diplomatic item for the two countries. Though Japan acknowledges forcing Koreans into labor positions, it maintains it’s not accountable for the actions.
“The Japanese government needs to investigate the full picture of forced labor ... and should come up with responsible reparations,” said Shuya Nomura, a law professor at Japan’s Chuo University.
By Kim Dong-ho [[email protected]]
This information comes after news broke last week that the Japanese government sent 99 yen ($1.07 or 1,256 won) in welfare pension refunds to seven Korean women who were forced into compulsory labor in Japan for 11 months during World War II.
Japan’s Asahi Shimbun reported yesterday that Japan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed 4,727 out of 40,000 Koreans who claimed to have been forced to work in Japan during the Japanese colonization period have subscribed for pensions.
The Korean government’s Truth Commission on Forced Mobilization under the Japanese Imperialism established in 2004 offers financial compensation of 800,000 won for forced workers annually and 20 million won to their families. Over 160,000 Koreans filed damage reports with the commission. Since 90 percent of the people who filed damage reports lack documents proving that they are eligible for the pension, the committee sent a request to Japanese government to confirm whether the 40,000 had applied for their pensions. The lack of documents slows the committee’s procedure for providing financial assistance to victims. Verification from the Japanese government’s Social Insurance Agency is crucial, committee officials said. Committee officials said they will request Japanese government verifications on 120,000 people.
Japan’s Social Insurance Agency’s labor worker’s pension insurance began in 1942. People, regardless their nationalities, who worked at Japanese companies, military factories and coal mines subscribed to the pension by taking a partial cut in their salaries. Those who paid the pension insurance are eligible to receive pensions after retirement. But most Korean conscripted workers were unaware of the existence of the insurance and quickly returned to the Korean Peninsula after Korea was liberated.
With the SIA’s confirmation of 4,727 workers, it now becomes inevitable that the pension fund would become a diplomatic item for the two countries. Though Japan acknowledges forcing Koreans into labor positions, it maintains it’s not accountable for the actions.
“The Japanese government needs to investigate the full picture of forced labor ... and should come up with responsible reparations,” said Shuya Nomura, a law professor at Japan’s Chuo University.
By Kim Dong-ho [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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