The Supreme Court finalized a ruling partially in favor of the plaintiffs in a damages lawsuit seeking to hold Japanese corporations liable for forced mobilization during Japan's colonial rule. It is the first Supreme Court decision among additional lawsuits filed after the Supreme Court en banc ruling in Oct. 2018 that recognized Japanese corporations' liability for damages to victims of forced mobilization.

Press conference immediately after the Supreme Court ruling. From left: Kim Young-hwan (The Center for Historical Truth and Justice external cooperation director), plaintiff Mr. Jeong, attorney Jeon Beom-jin (MIBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society forced labor litigation counsel). /Courtesy of The Center for Historical Truth and Justice

The Supreme Court's First Division (presiding Justice Ma Yong-ju) on the 11th finalized a lower court ruling that partially sided with the plaintiffs in a damages suit filed by four children of the late victim of forced labor, Jeong Hyeong-pal, against Nippon Steel (formerly Shin-Nippon Steel), stating, "The defendant shall pay the plaintiffs a total of 100 million won."

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