South Korea's Supreme Court Rejects Nippon Steel Appeal, Upholds About 80 Million Won Compensation
South Korea's Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Nippon Steel on December 12, upholding a ruling that ordered the Japanese firm to pay about 80 million won (9 million yen) to the family of a former wartime forced laborer. The plaintiff alleged forced labor at a steelworks in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, from February to July 1942, filing suit in April 2019. The court's decision follows the government's compensation plan, which both the previous Yoon Suk-yeol and current Lee Jae-myung administrations have said they would maintain.
South Korea's Supreme Court ruled on the 12th in a case brought by the family of a former wartime forced laborer against Nippon Steel, dismissing the appeal and making binding the compensation of about 80 million won (about 9 million yen) awarded in the second-instance ruling. Nippon Steel was defeated.
The plaintiff argued that the forced laborer was compelled to work at a steelworks in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, from February to July 1942, and filed suit in April 2019 seeking consolation money. The government of former President Yoon Suk-yeol proposed a solution under which a South Korean foundation would pay compensation, and the administration of President Lee Jae-myung has said it will inherit that solution.