South Korea says controversial foundation doesn’t function properly because of opposition from public and victims.
South Korea on Wednesday said it would close a controversial Japanese-funded foundation set up to help former war-time sex slaves, a decision Japan said risked souring ties between the two countries.
The foundation was established as part of a 2015 agreement under which Tokyo transferred about $8.8m as compensation for the victims and Seoul agreed not to raise the issue again.
The controversial deal brokered by conservative former president Park Geun-hye angered some victims who said it fell short of holding Japan responsible for abuses during its colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula.
Her successor Moon jae-in was among the harsh critics of the agreement and earlier this year his administration vowed to return the money to Japan.
Gender Equality Minister Jin Sun Mee said in a statement her ministry, which is responsible for the foundation, had decided to dissolve it. The ministry would continue to pursue policies to “restore the honour and dignity” of the sexual slavery victims, it added. Alternative approach
“We have… decided to end the project based on the result of our reviews and current circumstances around the foundation,” the statement said, saying it would seek to find a “reasonable way to handle” the remaining money sent by Japan.
