⚖️ South Korea's Supreme Court has upheld a historic ruling requiring Japan's Nippon Steel to pay 100 million won ($67,900) to the family of Jeong Hyeong-pal, a victim of forced labor during Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule. The decision, finalized on December 12, 2025, reinforces a landmark 2018 precedent holding Japanese firms accountable for wartime injustices.
🌏 Jeong was forcibly taken to Japan in 1940 and worked at a steel mill until 1942. His children filed the lawsuit in 2019, arguing the statute of limitations shouldn't apply given decades of unresolved trauma. While lower courts initially dismissed the case, Thursday's verdict marks a major victory for historical justice advocates.
📜 This ruling follows dozens of similar cases since 2018, testing diplomatic ties between Seoul and Tokyo. Nippon Steel maintains its statute of limitations defense, but courts increasingly prioritize victim restitution over technicalities. Analysts say the trend reflects growing public demand to address colonial-era grievances.
