Seoul – In a landmark ruling, the Seoul High Court has ordered Japan to pay compensation to victims of wartime sexual slavery. The court overturned a previous dismissal by the Seoul Central District Court and ruled in favor of the victims, often referred to as "comfort women," directing Japan to pay 200 million won (approximately US$153,863) to each of the 16 plaintiffs.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the victims filed the lawsuit in 2016, seeking compensation for the atrocities they endured during wartime. The lower court had previously dismissed the case in 2021, citing sovereign immunity, which typically prevents a state from being sued in foreign courts.