News

NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- South Korean foreign minister Kim Sung Hwan on Saturday raised the issue of compensation for Korean women forced into sexual slavery for Japan's World War II soldiers during his talks with Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba, a Japanese official said.

Gemba reiterated Japan's stance that the issue was settled by a bilateral treaty in 1965 that normalized diplomatic ties between the two countries, the Foreign Ministry official said.

Gemba also said the issue should not damage the important ties of the two countries, according to the official.

South Korea is seeking negotiations with Japan on the issue of "comfort women," as the sexual slavery victims are known in Japan, following a court ruling saying it is unconstitutional for Seoul to make no specific efforts.

The two ministers also exchanged views on a set of disputed islets, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, the official said, but he refused to disclose what exactly they discussed.

Despite these issues, the official said Gemba and Kim agreed that Japan and South Korea are vital partners in the Asia-Pacific region and will continue to deepen bilateral ties.

They also discussed the latest developments concerning North Korea and bilateral economic issues, the official said.

The meeting was held in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.