Top TV host gives most for comfort women's home

Yoo Jae-seok

By Ko Dong-hwan

Top TV show host Yoo Jae-seok heads a list of donors who have helped women forced to serve as sex slaves to Japanese soldiers during World War II.

The comedian, 43, has donated 110 million won ($95,000) to the House of Sharing, the home of the so-called “comfort women.” The amount includes 50 million won ($43,000) donated Thursday, which he wants used to support the group’s plans to build a human rights center for the comfort women and improve their welfare.

The philanthropist first donated 20 million won ($17,000) to the House of Sharing in July 2014. In June the following year, he donated 40 million won ($35,000).

Statues of the late "comfort women" victims who were forced to serve as sex slaves to Japanese soldiers during World War II. / Korea Times

Yoo has appeared in TV programs including MBC variety show “Infinite Challenge” and SBS’s “Running Man.”

The show business veteran is the individual who has donated the most to the war victims’ home, according to the Chosun Ilbo, quoting the home’s manager.

“Yoo has always wanted to hide from the public about his donations,” the manager said. “But I wanted to share the news because I appreciate his gesture.”