A South Korean court has directed Japan to compensate a group of women who were coerced to work in military brothels during World War Two.
Initially, the case involving these 16 women, who endured being sex slaves for Japanese soldiers, was dismissed when they filed the lawsuit in 2016.
The Seoul Central District Court rejected their claims five years later, citing sovereign immunity.
However, the Seoul High Court has now overturned this decision, asserting South Korea’s jurisdiction over the Japanese government concerning these women who lived in the country and sought compensation for what was considered “unlawful” acts.
The court emphasized, “There is a common international law which does not recognize state immunity for an illegal act… regardless of whether the act was a sovereign act.”
Lee Yong-soo, a 95-year-old activist and victim, expressed her emotions and gratitude to the court for the ruling.
Leaving the courthouse, she conveyed to reporters, “I’m grateful. I’m really grateful.”
She also expressed her desire to inform all deceased victims about the verdict.
During World War Two, it’s estimated that over 200,000 women and girls were compelled into prostitution to serve Japanese soldiers.
Most of those forced into military brothels were Korean, while others hailed from mainland China, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
Responding to the ruling, Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa labeled it “extremely regrettable and absolutely unacceptable.”
Kamikawa urged South Korea to promptly take appropriate measures to rectify what Japan sees as breaches of international law.
Source-BBC
