[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, expressed condolences on the passing of Lee Ok-seon, a victim of the Japanese military 'comfort women', who died on the 26th.
On the 27th, Minister Kim said, "Grandmother Lee Ok-seon suffered from old age for a long time," adding, "I understand that she hoped more than anyone else for the resolution of the Japanese military 'comfort women' issue during her lifetime."
She continued, "The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will closely monitor and support the victims of the Japanese military 'comfort women' so that they can spend their remaining years in peace, and will continue to strive to restore the honor and dignity of the victims."
Born in Daegu, Grandmother Lee was forcibly taken to Japan in October 1944 and suffered at the Manchurian Haeseong comfort station. She was assaulted while resisting and severely injured her leg, causing her to limp for a long time.
Upon hearing the news of liberation, Grandmother Lee took a train to Sinuiju with the help of a nearby Chinese resident and returned to her hometown Daegu, but lived in the village of Songnisan selling medicinal herbs without informing her family of the harm she had suffered.
She was registered as a victim of the Japanese military 'comfort women' by the government in 1993, and since then has participated in Wednesday demonstrations and continued activities to resolve the issue of the Japanese military sexual slavery system.
Out of the 240 victims of the Japanese military 'comfort women' registered with the government, a total of 230 have died to date, and 10 remain alive.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
