Japan Warns South Korea That Ties Are in ‘Severe State’ Amid Labor Dispute
- Neighbors split on forced labor claims by colonial-era workers
- Abe mulling ways to protect company’s assets from seizure
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Japan’s top government spokesman said ties with South Korea were in a “severe state,” signaling that simmering tensions between the neighbors and U.S. security allies could worsen.
Tokyo and Seoul have sparred over decisions in South Korea’s top court requiring two of Japan’s biggest companies to pay compensation to Koreans forced into labor during Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule. On Sunday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would consider countermeasures to protect Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp. assets from seizure by South Korean courts.