Another former sex slave dies

Kim Kyung-soon, a former sex slave who was forced to serve Japanese troops during World War II, died Saturday, according to the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan. She was 90.

Her death leaves the total number of Korean survivors at 44.

Kim’s death comes just five days after another victim, surnamed Choi, died Monday, aged 90. Choi was the first victim to die since a verbal “agreement” was reached on the issue between Korea and Japan on Dec. 28 last year. According to the agreement, the government will establish an independent foundation to take care of the victims, which will be funded by Japan. In return, Korea has promised to consider the issue resolved “finally and irreversibly.”

The agreement remains controversial with victims and civic groups lashing out at the government for failing to consider them and reflect their demands. Victims want Japan to make an official apology in addition to the reparations.

Estimates say almost 200,000 women were forced into sexual slavery during World War II ― the majority being Koreans in their teens, followed by Chinese, Filipinas and Dutch women.