South Korean ‘comfort women’ demand Japan answer to International Criminal Court
Frank Smith
Press TV, Seoul
A South Korean victim of Japanese wartime sex slavery wants Tokyo to answer for its crimes at the International Criminal Court, and calls on the South Korean government to press the issue. Japan insists that the 'comfort women' problem has already been resolved with previous agreements. But the victims argue that they were not consulted on the previous deals, and demand a direct personal apology and compensation.
Ninety-two-year-old Lee Yong-soo, a victim of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery, braved the media spotlight to press the South Korean government to hold Japan accountable at the International Criminal Court.
The renewed controversy follows the recent online publication of Harvard Professor J. Mark Ramseyers’ article suggesting comfort women were voluntarily-paid prostitutes. A deluge of criticism forced the Harvard journal involved to delay the article’s print publication.
Japan has given apologies over comfort women in the past and made agreements with South Korea over its wartime atrocities. But Tokyo has not adequately addressed the victims directly, say advocates.
South Korean courts in January ordered Japan to pay 12 surviving comfort women 90,000 dollars each - a ruling Tokyo says it cannot accept.
For South Korea and Japan to find common ground regarding comfort women may prove a difficult task as Tokyo views the matter resolved. A broader concern may be how the rift will affect other areas of South Korea - Japan relations - trade, future tourism, and their trilateral alliance with the United States.
Leader meets workers on Labor Week
US continues starving Syrians, stealing their resources
Iran marks defeat of US military operation in Tabas Desert
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
VIDEO | American, Israeli rabbis call for ceasefire during protest near Gaza
Iran calls for enhanced defense cooperation with Russia
US campus crackdown: 500 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested
VIDEO | Yemenis rally in Sana'a in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza
VIDEO | Jordanians march after Friday prayers in support of Palestinians
Far-right Israeli minister Ben-Gvir injured
Germany clears pro-Gaza camp as US-style demos spread across Europe
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
