Comfort women stories came out of Japan in the aftermath of World War II where they were forced to serve in military brothels for the military. Many of these women were brought over from Korea, and many of them filed suit for reparations. Their lawsuit was originally won, but the Korean and Japanese governments have come to an agreement that works in everybody’s favor. This article explains why the governmental agreement is enough to settle this dispute.
The Original Lawsuit
The original lawsuit sought damages to be paid to the families of women who were forced into these brothels. That lawsuit was later thrown out by a higher court, and the governments of both countries worked together to come to an agreement for reparations and remorse.
The agreement that both countries came to provides the necessary apology and remorse while also serving women who are bruised and battered from the sex trade. That agreement is explained below, and there is a look at why serving the people is better than serving a plaintiff’s wallet.
The Harm To Women
The harm to women in Asia was already done when World War II ended, and the lawsuit filed by these few families could not cure that Hirt. The Korean and Japanese governments wanted to do something much more useful for women in their sphere, and they came to an agreement that includes reparations for women along with formal apologies.
Putting The Apology On Record
The apology offered by both the Korean and Japanese governments was put on the record as part of the agreement. They both spoke at length about how the military brothels of World War II were an affront to women and their human rights. The apology includes a full acknowledgement that these brothels were real, and it shows that Japan did traffic women from Korea to their islands to serve the military.
These two governments did not wish to disrespect the women who filed the lawsuit because they knew that these women had every right to be angry. However, both governments knew that they could do something much more productive and sweeping them giving hush money to a few families.
The Reparations
The reparations are to be paid to charities and halfway houses that serve battered and abused women in Korea. The two governments believe that these charities do work that serves the people, and it is quite important to remember that the reparations do not serve just one person or one family.
The family units that are served and protected by these reparations may make a new day for the people of both Japan and Korea. These are two progressive societies that wish to treat their people better, and a large payment to charities that serve women strikes the proper balance between remorse and action.
The End Result
The end result of this case is that the comfort women have made an impact. Comfort women testimonies will never leave the public discourse in Korea or Japan, and these women have made quite impact in both countered due to this lawsuit and agreement. Everyone who has read the report understands that the governments took a long view of history and saw the big picture.
South Korean comfort women did not deserve to be shipped to Japan, but their stories may bring about change that is badly needed. The payment that was given to charities in Japan and Korea may change many lives, and there may never be another group of Korean comfort women who will suffer at the hands of oppressors.