© weeklymonday

A South Korean court ordered the Japanese government to pay compensation to 12 victims who were forcibly used as sex slaves during World War II. In its verdict, which is the first of its kind, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that Japan must pay $91,900 to each of the five surviving plaintiffs and the family members of those who have died since the case was originally filed in 2013.

However, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi urged South Korea to “immediately” take action against the court ruling. Motegi said in a statement issued after the Seoul court’s January 8th ruling, “The ruling clearly goes against international law and an agreement made between the Japanese and South Korean governments.”