"Our quarrel is not with Japanese people," says former comfort woman, donating to quake victims

By Chung Hyun-chae

Two Korean victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery have made donations to help the victims of strong earthquakes that hit Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, last week.

Kim Bok-dong, 90, contributed 1 million won and Gil Won-ok, 88, donated 300,000 won to the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan on Wednesday for relief efforts in Japan.

“Our quarrel is with the Japanese government, not ordinary Japanese people,” Kim said at the most recent Wednesday rally. “We cannot just stand by with folded arms while our neighbors are suffering.”

Two earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 6.5 and 7.3, hit Japan's Kumamoto region on the island of Kyushu on April 14 and 16, killing more than 40 people.

“In deference to these women, we will try to relay their heartfelt messages to Japan,” Yoon Mee-hyang, a representative of the civic organization, told The Korea Times, Friday, showing her appreciation to them.

The organization plans to collect more donations and deliver them to Japan.

The two former sex slaves encouraged other people who attended the rally to donate to the charity.

“I will take the lead to help Japanese people. I want you to be with me,” Kim said.

Earlier, in 2011, when a massive earthquake and tsunami hit Japan, former sex slaves and the civic organization conducted a fundraising campaign and sent relief supplies worth 15 million won to Japan.

Their good deeds have drawn various responses from the public.

Most people have praised them for their humanitarianism and generosity.

“I hope Japan will reflect on and apologize for its past atrocities after seeing the two sexual slavery victims donating money to Japan,” an Internet user with ID vvbo**** wrote on a portal site.

“I respect them who really follow the words of the Bible, which says love your enemies,” said another user named top4****.

Some people, however, have voiced concerns over the donation.

“I doubt Japan will appreciate that,” a 24-year-old university student said.

One Internet user with ID Hu** even said, “Is it right to give money in sympathy for the death of a murderer or a rapist?”

Experts pointed out that Japan’s continued distortions of history have aroused antipathy against Japan.