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The government will award W20 million (US$20,000) in compensation to the families of Koreans who died in forced labor under Japanese colonial rule. Those reported missing will be included if a Truth Commission on Forced Mobilization presumes them dead.
The decision was made in a private-public committee meeting on the issue chaired by Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan. The government will submit a relevant bill to the National Assembly and start paying compensation next year.
Compensation will also be paid to families of victims who returned home injured from forced labor and later died ? W20 million for those with serous injuries and W10 million for victims with minor ones. In addition, the government will pay outstanding wages for forced labor at a conversion rate of W1,200 per yen when families concerned have the necessary documents.
Altogether some 20,000 families will benefit from the plan, which is expected to cost a minimum W400 billion, a government official said. The decision comes in response to criticism that compensation for forced laborers paid in 1975 was not enough which arose from the declassification of documents showing that a 1965 agreement on compensation between Korea and Japan cut corners.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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