Jan 05 (Nikkei) - South Korean President Moon Jae-in apologized to former "comfort women" Thursday, saying the 2015 agreement with Japan negotiated by his predecessor's government in an effort to bring closure to the wartime issue failed to consider the wishes of the women themselves.
It seems unlikely at this point that Moon's administration will decide to scrap the agreement or seek to renegotiate it, but Seoul may push for additional measures to show consideration for the women, some of whom demand a formal apology from the Japanese government.
Moon hosted a lunch at the presidential Blue House for eight of the women as well as Yoon Mee-hyang, representative of the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha also attended, the president's office said.
The meeting appears to have been meant to inform the Moon government's new position on the 2015 accord, expected to be finalized later this month. Moon also visited a woman earlier Thursday who was sick and unable to attend.
Statues commemorating wartime "comfort women," such as this one in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, have become a sticking point in bilateral relations.
As part of the deal, Tokyo agreed to provide 1 billion yen ($8.9 million at current rates) to a foundation organized by the South Korean government to help former comfort women, while Seoul pledged to address Japan's concerns about a comfort women memorial that remains in front of the Japanese Embassy here.
Moon acknowledged that a formal agreement exists between the two countries but told the eight women that it not only went against the principles of truth and justice, but also neglected to take their views into account. He apologized "as president" for the faulty negotiation process.
He also indirectly criticized the administration of impeached President Park Geun-hye, claiming that the government failed in its duty to help heal the women's emotional suffering.
But the president stopped short of offering concrete promises of his own. Moon simply said he will work to ensure their opinions are reflected in government policy.
