Korea, Japan intellectuals state 1910 Annexation Treaty invalid

A group of intellectuals in Korea and Japan issued a joint statement Monday, declaring the 1910 Korea-Japan Annexation Treaty "null and void."

This is the first time that scholars from the two countries have held a press conference to pronounce the invalidity of the annexation treaty.

One hundred and nine Korean and 105 Japanese intellectuals held press conferences in Seoul and Tokyo, respectively, to deliver their message.

"Japan's annexation of Korea was an imperialistic and illicit act using military power to overcome protests from Koreans," they wrote in a joint statement.

"The preamble and body of the treaty are all lies and there are serious flaws in its process and form. As the process of amalgamation is unjust, the annexation treaty is wrong."

The statement added the independence movement of Korea was not unlawful and supported the Korean government which interpreted the treaty as null and void.

"Based on the facts, the Korean interpretation of 'null and void' should be recognized as the consensus," the statement said.

They also called for an official joint statement from both countries.

The Koreans included professors emeritus Paik Nak-chung and Yi Tae-jin of Seoul National University, Yuhan University President Kim Young-ho, poets Ko Un and Kim Ji-ha, and lawyer Park Won-soon.

Among Japanese figures were Nobel Literature Laureate Kenzaburo Oe and emeritus professor at the University of Tokyo Wada Haruki.

The joint statement is the result of five months of study and negotiations ― the intellectuals had to compromise five times before a final draft was approved.

"There were arguments on minor terms and some Japanese scholars withdrew their support at the last minute," a representative of the Korean side said.

The two governments had different takes on the interpretation of the Korea-Japan Annexation Treaty. Under the 1965 Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and Korea, any treaties or agreements concluded before Aug. 22, 1910 are already considered null and void.

Seoul said the annexation treaty was illegal and invalid as it was a result of Japanese imperialism. Tokyo, meanwhile, insisted it was freely signed.

In regard to comfort women, or sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during the World War II, they appealed for more enthusiastic attitude of the Japanese government, companies and people.

"The issue of comfort women is still ongoing and the Korean government has started to take measures for them and compulsorily mobilized laborers. We need support from Japan as well," they said.


Credits : Koreatimes