Korean hibakusha petitions government to accept court ruling on health allowance payment

A Korean hibakusha (A-bomb survivor) and his supporters on June 6 requested political parties in the parliament to use their influence to get the government to accept the recent court ruling that hibakusha abroad should also be paid a health allowance.

Plaintiff Kwak Kwi Hun, who has been denied the payment since he returned to South Korea, filed a suit against Osaka Prefecture in October 1998.

On June 1, the Osaka District Court ruled against Osaka Prefecture which refused to pay the allowance on the grounds that the Hibakusha Relief Law is applicable only in Japan.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on June 6 received the petition saying that the court ruling is a result of their struggle, and encouraged them saying that the government must not appeal the decision.

The plaintiff Kwak said, "All A-bomb victims in Korea are aged and aging, and only death awaits them if the Japanese government appeals."

The Japan Confederation of A and H Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hidankyo) on the same day petitioned the government and parties. About 120 hibakusha took part in the action calling on the government to urge nuclear weapons states to carry out their promise to eliminate nuclear weapons and accept the court ruling concerning health allowances to be paid to hibakusha who live abroad. (end)