As reported by , a bronze statue of a barefoot girl outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul is threatening to scupper a landmark deal to end the decades-long row between Japan and South Korea over wartime sex slaves.

On Monday, Japan said it would pay one billion yen (£5.6 million) in compensation for the Korean women forced to work in brothels.

But the agreement hinges on the removal of the statue, symbolising "comfort women", Japanese government officials told local media. Japan may not go through with its promise to make the payment to a South Korean fund if the statue remains, said Kyodo News, citing a government source.

bbabo.Net