South Korea has announced that women who were forced into sexual slavery by Japan's military in World War II will get around 100 million won (Rs 60 lakh) and the families of the deceased victims 20 million won (Rs 12 lakh) in cash each from a foundation that will be funded by the Japanese government.
The announcement comes a day after Japan’s Cabinet approved the transfer of 1 billion yen ($9.9 million – Rs 66crore) pledged under the two countries settlement intended to end the disputes.
Seoul's Foreign Ministry today said that it expects that the Japanese government will soon transfer the promised fund to a foundation formed last month.
The Ministry also pledged to make best efforts in cooperation with the foundation officials to bring every victim on board.
In December last year, South Korea and Japan agreed to set up the foundation as they settled a decades-long dispute over South Korean sex slave victims.
Seoul then said there were 46 surviving South Korean victims and 196 victims who had died.
The opening of the foundation's office in Seoul was met by protests from activists and students who criticised the December agreement, which remains controversial in South Korea where many believe the Seoul government settled for far too less.
Under the agreement, which was described by both governments as "irreversible," Japan pledged to fund the foundation to help support the victims.
South Korea, in exchange, vowed to refrain from criticising Japan over the issue and will try to resolve a Japanese grievance over a statue of a girl representing victims of sexual slavery that sits in front of the Japanese Embassy in downtown Seoul.
With AP Inputs
