日 남관표 주일대사 초치…"징용 배상 중재위 불응 유감"<br /><br />South Korea's Ambassador to Japan has been summoned to Tokyo's foreign ministry,... as Korea has not accepted Japan's unilateral call for an arbitration on the issue of wartime forced labor.<br />There, ambassador Nam Gwan-pyo urged Japan to turn to diplomacy to resolve the matter.<br />Park Hee-jun has the details. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono has summoned the South Korean Ambassador to Japan Nam Gwan-pyo,... after the South Korean government failed to respond to Japan's call for third-country arbitration to settle the forced labor dispute.<br />Japan had set a midnight deadline for Korea to accept,... made in response to Seoul's Supreme Court decision ordering Japanese companies to compensate the victims.<br />Ambassador Nam was summoned to Tokyo's foreign ministry Friday to hear Japan's complaint.<br />Minister Kono expressed deep disappointment in the South Korean government... and called on Korea to correct the situation, which he called an unacceptable violation of international law.<br />"South Korea cannot ignore this violation of international law, and I strongly urge it to take corrective measures immediately."<br />Nam, however, turned that around,... saying it's Japan's unilateral measures that are hurting bilateral relations.<br />Pointing out that the people and businesses of both countries are suffering the consequences,... he emphasized the need for a quick resolution through dialogue.<br />"As part of such efforts, the South Korean government has delivered its plan to Japan. I hope both sides will be able to discuss a better solution based on this."<br />Japan's discontent was evident in Kono's harsh remarks and the fact that he interrupted while Nam was speaking.<br />Afterwards,... the Japanese foreign minister released a statement, calling the Supreme Court's rulings "deeply regrettable and absolutely unacceptable."<br />He hinted at the possibility of additional retaliatory measures.<br />And said there will be a new set of actions in light of the escalated tensions between Seoul and Tokyo.<br />The 1965 bilateral agreement between the two countries states that an arbitration panel can be set up within 30 days after either side's request.<br />But it cannot be done if one side objects.<br />South Korea's top office has repeatedly shown reluctance to agree to mediation,... saying the dispute should be settled through bilateral discussions.<br />The Blue House and the foreign ministry have also expressed regret over the summoning of South Korea's diplomat.<br />Park Hee-jun, Arirang News.<br />
