On November 23, 2024, it is one year since the Japanese military "comfort women" won their damages claim. On November 20, the Democratic Party of Korea's Special Committee on Historical Justice, The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (The Korean Council), and MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society (MINBYUN) held a press conference in the National Assembly with Lee Yong-soo, a survivor/victim of Japanese military "comfort women." Members of the national assembly, representatives of civil society organizations, and the plaintiff's attorneys joined the press conference. 
Lee, the survivor/victim, shouted at President Yoon Suk-yeol to immediately fulfill his promise to resolve the Japanese military sexual slavery issue, which he made when he was a candidate for the presidency, after waiting more than two years.
Last year, on November 23, 2023, the Seoul High Court's 33rd Civil Division (Presiding Judge Koo Hoi-geun) ruled that Japan's systemic establishment and operation of comfort stations during the war constituted crimes against humanity and ordered the Japanese government to provide victims legal reparations. The court rejected the state immunity, declaring that "international customary law is not permanent and fixed" and that "the international legal system related to state immunity is moving in the direction of protecting the right to trial of individuals." Inspired by the tenacity and courage of the Korean victims and the victory in the court case, Chinese victims have also filed two lawsuits.
However, the Japanese government has refused to accept the ruling, saying it is "in violation of international law" and that the Korean government should "correct the situation." The South Korean government has also not made any diplomatic efforts to guarantee the victims' rights. Despite receiving several recommendations from the international community, including the United Nations, to correct the problem, it has only parroted the '2015 Korea-Japan Agreement', ignoring the voices of the victims and the court ruling.
The victims and bereaved families, who were tired of waiting, filed a request for the identification of property under the Civil Execution Act on September 5 this year. On November 7, the Korean court finally ordered the Japanese government to submit a list of its property in Korea.
The South Korean government should take action as soon as possible to ensure that the Japanese government can legally compensate as ordered by the court.
The Korean Council will never give up until the Japanese government takes legal responsibility and is held accountable for its crimes against humanity.
Lee, the survivor/victim, shouted at President Yoon Suk-yeol to immediately fulfill his promise to resolve the Japanese military sexual slavery issue, which he made when he was a candidate for the presidency, after waiting more than two years.
Last year, on November 23, 2023, the Seoul High Court's 33rd Civil Division (Presiding Judge Koo Hoi-geun) ruled that Japan's systemic establishment and operation of comfort stations during the war constituted crimes against humanity and ordered the Japanese government to provide victims legal reparations. The court rejected the state immunity, declaring that "international customary law is not permanent and fixed" and that "the international legal system related to state immunity is moving in the direction of protecting the right to trial of individuals." Inspired by the tenacity and courage of the Korean victims and the victory in the court case, Chinese victims have also filed two lawsuits.
However, the Japanese government has refused to accept the ruling, saying it is "in violation of international law" and that the Korean government should "correct the situation." The South Korean government has also not made any diplomatic efforts to guarantee the victims' rights. Despite receiving several recommendations from the international community, including the United Nations, to correct the problem, it has only parroted the '2015 Korea-Japan Agreement', ignoring the voices of the victims and the court ruling.
The victims and bereaved families, who were tired of waiting, filed a request for the identification of property under the Civil Execution Act on September 5 this year. On November 7, the Korean court finally ordered the Japanese government to submit a list of its property in Korea.
The South Korean government should take action as soon as possible to ensure that the Japanese government can legally compensate as ordered by the court.
The Korean Council will never give up until the Japanese government takes legal responsibility and is held accountable for its crimes against humanity.