"To Comfort Women Grandmothers, 'You're Becoming Ill-Mannered'... Human Rights Commission: 'Human Rights Violation at Nanum House'"

The Statue of Peace installed at Nanum House in Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do is being rained on.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] The National Human Rights Commission of Korea confirmed that 'Nanum-ui Jip,' a care facility for former comfort women victims of the Japanese military, violated human rights by disclosing the personal information of the victims without their consent. The Commission recommended a formal warning to the institution's chairman.

On the 20th, the Commission advised the director of Nanum-ui Jip and the chairman of the corporation to consult with the bereaved families and take appropriate measures regarding the personal information of victims who requested confidentiality. It also recommended that the former management, who are the respondents, attend special human rights education sessions organized by the Commission.

Nanum-ui Jip is a senior care facility established to support and protect former comfort women victims. A related party to Nanum-ui Jip filed a complaint alleging human rights violations by the management. The complainant claimed issues including ▲disclosure of personal information of grandmothers who expressed a desire for confidentiality ▲movement of belongings without consent during extension construction ▲unfair language and behavior ▲inappropriate medical treatment and meal provision ▲neglect of violence issues among the grandmothers ▲unfair handling related to the use of donations, submitting related evidence. The former management resigned during the Commission’s investigation.

The Commission gathered testimonies from facility staff, caregivers, and volunteers after the complaint, and secured photos and audio recordings. Combining on-site investigations and interviews, the Commission confirmed the facts. It stated, "The facility actively used the personal information of victims who requested confidentiality for promotional purposes." Nanum-ui Jip posted personal details such as "an elder who lived in City A" on its official website. Even in August, during the investigation, photos of victims, victim cases, repatriation routes, and post-liberation residences were posted, and these materials were also exhibited in the history museum.

The Commission stated, "If former comfort women victims wish not to reveal themselves actively due to concerns about harm to themselves and their families when their experiences become known, this is personal information that must be protected," adding, "This relates to the right to self-determination, personality rights, and honor." Furthermore, it confirmed that "the former management used unfair language such as saying the victims 'are becoming ill-mannered' when referring to them."