South Korea will award a medal posthumously to a Japanese lawyer in recognition of his help to Koreans striving for independence during the 1910-1945 colonial rule, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said Tuesday.
The decision to honor Tatsuji Fuse, who died in 1953 at the age of 72, with an Order of Merit for National Foundation medal was approved at a Cabinet meeting.
The ministry said Fuse helped Korean independence fighters in courts and helped Korean farmers regain land seized by colonial authorities. He was imprisoned and had his lawyer's license revoked for his support of Koreans.
Fuse will become the first Japanese recipient and the 45th foreigner to receive a Order of Merit for National Foundation medal in connection with the Korean independence movement.