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Comfort women

Comfort women is a term used for women and girls forced into sexual slavery by Japan before and during World War II.

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A statue of a girl symbolizing "comfort women" in Seoul, South Korea

South Korean 'comfort women' lose compensation claim

South Korean 'comfort women' lose compensation claim

A South Korean court rejected a lawsuit which ordered Japan to compensate victims forced to work in wartime brothels.
PoliticsApril 21, 2021
Yang Geum-deok

Survivor of forced labor in Japan seeks true apology

Survivor of forced labor in Japan seeks true apology

In 1944, a young Korean girl was duped into moving to Japan for better education, only to end up working in a factory.
SocietyFebruary 8, 2021
A South Korean advocacy group holds a meeting in Seoul, South Korea

South Korean court orders 'comfort women' compensation

South Korean court orders 'comfort women' compensation

It is the first civilian legal case in South Korea regarding World War II sex slaves for Japanese troops.
SocietyJanuary 8, 2021
external

Korean 'comfort women' memorial angers Japan

Korean 'comfort women' memorial angers Japan

A memorial to the victims of forced sex work in WWII has sparked controversy and diplomatic tension. Japan wants it axed, but activists are showing resistance.
SocietyOctober 22, 202002:49 min
The memorial covered in flowers and protest pamphlets

Berlin halts demolition of 'comfort women' memorial

Berlin halts demolition of 'comfort women' memorial

A recently unveiled memorial to the victims of forced sex work in WWII has sparked controversy and diplomatic tensions.
HistoryOctober 14, 2020
A statue symbolizing the issue of so-called comfort women forced to work in Japanese wartime brothels is unveiled in Berlin on September 28, 2020

'Comfort woman' statue in Berlin angers Japan

'Comfort woman' statue in Berlin angers Japan

Japan has said a new statute detailing sexual violence against Korean women is out of context and damages relations.
SocietyOctober 1, 2020