According to varying estimates, between 20,000 and 400,000 women were forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army in occupied territories during World War II. Many of the women forced into sex slavery came from Korea, China and the Philippines. Various survivors’ reports revealed that the so-called comfort women were often beaten and tortured.
Last August, the United Nations stated that Japan failed to pursue a comprehensive resolution to the issue of wartime sexual slavery.
On August 15, Tokyo and Seoul will commemorate the end of the World War II, Japan’s colonial rule over Korea and the 50th anniversary of restored diplomatic ties between the two neighbors.