JAPAN: WW2 sex slave deal ”ignored victims”

South Korea’s foreign ministry has said a 2015 deal with Japan to compensate forced World War Two sex slaves failed to meet the needs of the victims.  A panel appointed by the ministry said the deal did not take into account the views of the surviving women.  The agreement had been made by South Korea’s […]

South Korea’s foreign ministry has said a 2015 deal with Japan to compensate forced World War Two sex slaves failed to meet the needs of the victims. 

A panel appointed by the ministry said the deal did not take into account the views of the surviving women. 

The agreement had been made by South Korea’s previous government hoping to end decades of diplomatic tensions. 

South Korean activists estimate that up to 200,000 women were forced to work in brothels for WW2 Japanese soldiers.

Critics have said the deal with Japan was reached without consultation with the survivors – known as “comfort women” – did not contain Japan’s acknowledgement of legal responsibility, and did not provide direct compensation to the victims.

The South Korean government will now review the panel’s findings and consult again with victims, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha told a news conference. 

The existing agreement “failed to sufficiently reflect a victim-oriented approach, which is the universal standard in resolving human rights issues”, she said.