South Korean court orders Japan to pay compensation to to a group of women who were forced to work in military brothels during World War II. World War II. This is reported by Reuters, UNN reports.
There are reasons to to believe that there is a general international law that does not recognize state immunity for for an unlawful act, regardless of whether the act was sovereign
The court also noted that the case falls under the jurisdiction of South Korea, as the plaintiffs reside in the country and claim compensation for actions that are considered "illegal" under its civil law.
16 victims filed a the lawsuit in 2016, seeking compensation of about $155,000 each. The Seoul Central District Court initially dismissed the case, citing sovereign immunity, a legal doctrine that allows a state to be exempted from civil lawsuits in foreign courts. However, the Seoul High Court overturned the decision of the lower court, recognizing the jurisdiction of South Korean courts over the Japanese government as a defendant.
Japan's reaction
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said that this decision contradicts international law and agreements between the two countries.
Tokyo believes that the issue was settled in accordance with the 1965 treaty, which normalized diplomatic relations, and Japan and South Korea also agreed to to end disputes in a 2015 agreement.
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