GWANGJU — The Gwangju District Court has mandated Nippon Coke and Engineering to provide compensation to Korean individuals forced into labor during World War II. This landmark ruling on Tuesday highlights ongoing efforts to address historical injustices associated with Japan's colonial rule over Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, formerly known as Mitsui Mining Co., is to pay compensation ranging from 13 million won (approximately US$9,400) to 100 million won to each of the 11 family members of seven Korean workers. These workers, including the late Park Hun-dong, were forcibly taken by Japanese authorities to labor under severe conditions in the coal mines of Hokkaido, Japan. The court detailed the harsh realities faced by these individuals, including extreme cold, insufficient food, and inadequate medical treatment, which led to permanent injuries and prolonged health issues post-liberation. Park, who was detained even after Korea's liberation on August 15, 1945, suffered significant health problems until his death, a common fate among his peers. This ruling underscores the lasting impact of the forced labor that occurred under Japan's rule from 1910 to 1945.