Former "Comfort Women" Rap Japan-South Korea Deal, Demand Abe's Apology

TOKYO, JAPAN - JAN. 26: Two Korean women who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels criticized on Tuesday the landmark deal signed late last year between the Japanese and South Korean governments over the "comfort women" issue, saying that it was made without their consent. "The deal is making a fool out of us," said 87-year-old Kang Il Chul at a press conference in Tokyo. "It was agreed without any consultations with us. How can they agree (on the issue) by pushing us aside? I'm furious." Lee Ok Son, 88, who like Kang traveled to Japan from South Korea to attend the press event in parliament, said, "It is as if the Japanese government is waiting for us to stop speaking out and die." The former comfort women reiterated their demand for a formal apology from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and official compensation from the Japanese government. On Dec. 28, South Korea and Japan agreed to end a drawn-out dispute between the two countries over the issue "finally and irreversibly," with Tokyo pledging to provide 1 billion yen ($8.4 million) for a new South Korean foundation aimed at helping aging former comfort women. Kang and Lee are among the 10 women living at the "House of Sharing," a group home for former comfort women on the outskirts of Seoul. A total of 46 survivors now live in South Korea.
TOKYO, JAPAN - JAN. 26: Two Korean women who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels criticized on Tuesday the landmark deal signed late last year between the Japanese and South Korean governments over the "comfort women" issue, saying that it was made without their consent. "The deal is making a fool out of us," said 87-year-old Kang Il Chul at a press conference in Tokyo. "It was agreed without any consultations with us. How can they agree (on the issue) by pushing us aside? I'm furious." Lee Ok Son, 88, who like Kang traveled to Japan from South Korea to attend the press event in parliament, said, "It is as if the Japanese government is waiting for us to stop speaking out and die." The former comfort women reiterated their demand for a formal apology from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and official compensation from the Japanese government. On Dec. 28, South Korea and Japan agreed to end a drawn-out dispute between the two countries over the issue "finally and irreversibly," with Tokyo pledging to provide 1 billion yen ($8.4 million) for a new South Korean foundation aimed at helping aging former comfort women. Kang and Lee are among the 10 women living at the "House of Sharing," a group home for former comfort women on the outskirts of Seoul. A total of 46 survivors now live in South Korea.
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Editorial #:
507491558
Collection:
Kyodo News
Date created:
26 January, 2016
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00:03:56:27
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Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
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Kyodo News
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16-01-26-2-18.mov