By Kim Young Deok and Yoon Sojung

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon on Nov. 7 expressed “deep concern” over the repeated row of Japanese government leaders in regard to the Korean Supreme Court’s ruling on wartime forced labor.

“The Japanese government leaders’ remarks are inappropriate and unwise,” said the prime minister in his statement issued under the title “On the attitude of the Japanese government regarding the Korean Supreme Court’s ruling on wartime forced labor.”

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Nov. 1, referred to the victims as “former labor workers from Joseon,” not “forced labor workers,” while claiming that the issue of compensation for wartime labor was solved in a complete and final manner through the Treaty on Basic Relations Between Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Prime Minister Lee said that, “The judicial ruling is not a matter of diplomacy between the governments.” “The government does not intervene in judicial decisions and that is the foundation of democracy,” he said.

“The ruling of the Korean Supreme Court does not deny the 1965 Korea-Japan Agreement. It recognizes the pact instead, and on that foundation, the court decided how much the pact can be applied,” he added.

Prime Minister Lee said he feels sorry for the inevitable situation in which he has to express his opinion as the Japanese government leaders attempt to make the issue a diplomatic dispute, while urging Japan to respond wisely.

“The Korean government will do its utmost to treat the wounds of the forced labor victims,” he said.

“I once again hope Korea-Japan relations can develop in a future-looking manner,” said the prime minister.

kyd1991@korea.kr