South Korean National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang said Monday a bill had been crafted that would facilitate the provision of donations to former wartime laborers at Japanese companies.
Moon told reporters in Tokyo the donations would be collected from Japanese and South Korean businesses, as well as from individuals from both countries that "have a willingness" to provide funds, and that the money will "not be forcibly collected." But he declined to elaborate further.
His comments came as bilateral relations have sunk to the worst state in years due to a row over compensation for wartime labor. Moon was visiting Japan for Monday's meeting of Group of 20 parliament speakers in Tokyo.