Sex slavery victims seek gov't help in legal battle

Participants unfold a big banner during a rally near the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Wednesday, for Korean women who were forced to serve as sex slaves for Japan’s World War II soldiers. / Yonhap

By Kim Se-jeong

Ten World War II sex slavery victims have written to Cheong Wa Dae asking for help in their legal battle against the Japanese government.

In a five-page letter to President Park Geun-hye, the victims asked the Korean government to suggest that the Japanese government take part in a conciliation process. The Korean government needs the judge’s permission to become involved in the lawsuit.

The same letter was sent to the Seoul Central District Court, where the victims filed the suit.

The victims filed a damages suit against the Japanese government seeking 100 million won compensation in 2013. But the Japanese government returned the litigation documents, claiming that the Korean court’s order to attend a conciliation hearing was not valid in Japan.

Prof. Lee Jang-hie from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies urged the Korean government to help the women.

“The government should take this chance,” Lee said. “The Japanese government may not move at all, but still the government should push Japan to act.” Lee said it was important to create pressure against Japan in any possible way.

Many similar lawsuits have been filed, but none has succeeded. Japan dismissed them, arguing that compensation was completed when a diplomatic agreement was signed in 1965.

Japan claimed the two countries agreed that Korea would not raise any compensation claims from World War II in exchange for services worth $ 800 million.

In June, two victims filed another compensation suit in the United States, the first case outside Korea and Japan.

The Korean court asked Japan to attend the hearing scheduled on June 15 and July 13 but a Japanese representative did not appear.

During World War II, Japan conscripted at least 200,000 women to provide sex for its troops across Asia. Only 47 victims remain alive, many with deteriorating health.

The 2013 lawsuit was filed by 12 victims, but two have died.

The two governments had met eight times to resolve the issues until earlier this year, and in June President Park said there had been a meaningful development.

The public has criticized the government for not pushing Japan hard enough.

Local NGOs spearhead efforts to put pressure on Japan, staging protests in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul. The NGOs also take elderly victims on global awareness tours, during which the women talk about their plight.