Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday expressed his "deepest condolences" over the recent death of another Korean elderly victim of Japan's wartime sexual slavery, vowing to continue efforts to restore their honor and dignity. Lee posted the message on his X account a day after the death of the unnamed victim was made public. The number of surviving victims registered with the government has now fallen to just five.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee conveyed his sorrow by stating, "I extend my deepest condolences with a heavy heart and pray for the soul of the deceased." He emphasized the importance of remembering history, saying, "She reminds us that history must never be forgotten and leaves us with the responsibility to make sure that future generations can live in a fairer and more peaceful world." The President reassured the public that "the government will do all it can to restore their honor and dignity."
Historians estimate that up to 200,000 women, mostly from Korea, were forced to work in front-line brothels for Japanese soldiers during World War II. Korea was a Japanese colony from 1910-45. This dark chapter in history continues to affect the lives of the survivors and their families.
As of March, 240 women were officially registered as victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery, including 235 who have died. Of the remaining five survivors, the oldest victim is aged 97, with the average age coming in at 95, highlighting the urgency in addressing their plight and preserving their stories for future generations.