GS(JK) 27: Fax from The Korean Council for the Women Drafted

for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan

 

 

'The Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan' (The Korean Council) is an organisation striving to solve matters in regards to military sexual slavery by Japan during WWII, which is one of the most tragic violation against women's human rights during war. The Korean Council has endeavoured to bring back justice and dignity to the victims for the last 17 years. Our continuous campaigns have drawn great attention from international and national supporters. We all agreed that the violation against women's human rights during war is still happening around the world and realised the seriousness of the matter.

 

Our campaigns were possible by the courageous testimonies of the victims. The aged victims travelled around the world to speak their tragic past sincerely hoping that there will be no more victims like themselves. Every Wednesday, the victims gather together in front of the Japanese Embassy with the supporters demanding justice and peace to the Japanese government.

 

The continuous work of the victims and the efforts from women and people around the world made it possible for the USA House of Representatives to pass the resolution (H.Res. 121) demanding an official apology from the Japanese government regarding the military sexual slavery by Japan during World War II. Followed by H.Res. 121, resolutions have been passed by national assemblies in the Dutch, Canada and the Europe Union.

 

The Korean Council is continuously working to solve the matter of military sexual slavery by Japan hoping to solve the matter before more victims pass away to prevent violation against women from happening again. Last November, the Korean Council and Amnesty International met with your House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee to deliver voices of the victims and our request for support.

 

We pay great respect for your work and efforts towards human rights and peace. We are writing to you to ask a few questions regarding Global Security: Japan and Korea - Tenth Report of Session 2007-08 published in last November by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee. I look forward to hearing your answers and confirmation.

 

<Please refer to:>

para 48/p.27/Global Security: Japan and Korea - Tenth Report of Session 2007-08

 

...At government-to-government level, Japan and South Korea regard the "comfort women" issue as being settled. However, some South Korean former "comfort women" continue to protest about their treatment.

 

<Questions>

Q1. As it was mentioned in the report, the Japanese government insists that they took their legal responsibilities in regards to 'comfort women' through the Korea-Japan treaty in 1965. However, the Korean government and the officials who participated in the treaty have been arguing that the matter of 'comfort women' was not dealt during the treaty.

 

In 2005, by the requests from the victims, the Korean government revealed all relevant documents of the treaty to the public. The Korean government officially announced that the Korea-Japan treaty in 1965 did not include matters of 'comfort women', atomic bomb and forced immigration to Sakhalin. The Korean government made it clear that the Japanese government still has full legal responsibilities to take in regards to this matter.

 

Until June 1990, at the National Assembly of Japan, the Japanese government claimed that the Japanese government and the military were not involved in 'comfort women' matter. In July 1992, the Japanese government acknowledged the military's partial involvement in 'comfort women'. Japan's such reactions make it clear that the matter of 'comfort women' was not dealt during the treaty in 1965.

 

In addition, since 1995, the Korean government publicly stated its opposition to Asia Women's Fund by Japan. In 1998, the Korean government opposed to the payment of the Asia Women's Fund and supported with the fund of 43,000,000won (approximately 23,499 pounds) to each victim of 'comfort women'.

 

However, according to your report, it states "... At government-to-government level, Japan and South Korea regard the "comfort women" issue as being settled." The Korean Council is asking you to provide relevant materials supporting your statement. The Korean Council will also request the Korean government for a confirmation on your statement in the report.

 

Q2. In addition , in your report, it is mentioned that "...some South Korean former "comfort women" continue to protest about their treatment." The Korean Council believes that this statement is inappropriate to describe the victims who have been holding weekly Wednesday Demonstrations in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul for 17 years demanding an official apology and reparation. There are only 94 surviving victims of 'comfort women' left in Korea and they are spending their remaining lives hoping to gain their dignity and justice back before they pass away. As you can see when you check the testimonies by the victims, the victims are not complaining about 'treatment'. The victims are demanding for a "solution". The Korean Council is asking you to provide us with the relevant materials on your statement.

 

The Korean Council is asking you to check the above questions and provide us with the relevant documentation. If it is proved that your statement was incorrect, we ask you to correct your statement.

 

The matter of military sexual slavery by Japan is not only a matter between Korea and Japan. It is a matter of violation against women and it is still happening around the world whenever war occurs. I highly expect the British government's continuous support and coalition.

 

The Korean Council is looking forward to your sincere answer as soon as possible.

 

 

7 January 2009