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Topic : S Korean women file forced prostitution lawsuit accusing Washington of abuse
2025È£ 9¸é
 
TITLE : S Korean women file forced prostitution lawsuit accusing Washington of abuse

S Korean women file forced prostitution lawsuit accusing Washington of abuse



South Korean women file landmark forced ...


 

More than 100 South Korean women who were forced to work as prostitutes for US soldiers stationed in the country have filed a landmark lawsuit accusing Washington of abuse, their lawyers said yesterday.

 

Historians and activists say tens of thousands of South Korean women worked for state-sanctioned brothels from the 1950s to 1980s, serving US troops stationed in country to protect the South from North Korea.

 

In 2022, South Korea’s top court ruled that the government had illegally “established, managed and operated” such brothels for the US military, ordering it to pay about 120 plaintiffs compensation.

 

Last week, 117 victims filed a fresh lawsuit, this time officially accusing — and seeking an apology from — the US military, for the first time.

 

The lawsuit seeks 10 million won (US$7,211) in compensation per victim.

 

Unlike the better-known “comfort women” used by Japanese soldiers until the end of World War II, those who worked for the US troops have received relatively limited attention, largely due to Washington being Seoul’s key and longtime security ally.

 

The economy surrounding military brothels in US base towns, including restaurants, barbershops and bars catering to US soldiers, made up about 25 percent of South Korea’s GDP during the 1960s and ’70s, historians say.

 

“I still cannot forget being beaten by US soldiers — slapped for lowering my head while pouring drinks, for not smiling, or for no reason at all,” one of the plaintiffs, in her 60s and who did not wish to give her name, said in a statement.

 

She said she was only 17 when she was tricked into the job — she thought she was going to be a bartender, but was forced into sex work and told she could not leave due to her “debt.”

 

“Every night we were dragged to US soldiers and sexually abused. Every week we were forced to undergo venereal disease tests. If there was the slightest abnormality, we were locked in a small room and injected with a thick needle of strong penicillin,” she said. “The shots were so harsh that my legs gave out and I couldn’t even walk.”

 

In a joint statement, women’s rights activists supporting the victims said the US military “ignored the South Korean constitution” and stripped the women of their personal freedom and “destroyed their lives.”

 

The suit names the South Korean government as the defendant, since under existing laws Seoul must compensate victims of illegal acts committed by US soldiers on duty and later seek reimbursement from Washington, lawyers said.

 

“This lawsuit seeks to hold both the South Korean government and the US military authorities jointly liable for the unlawful acts,” lawyer Ha Ju-hee said.

 

The US still stations about 28,500 troops in South Korea to help protect it against nuclear-armed North Korea.

 

The United States Forces Korea (USFK) said it was “aware of the reports regarding the issue,” adding that “we will not comment while legal proceedings are ongoing.”

 

“We affirm that we do not condone any behavior that violates Republic of Korea laws, rules, or directives, and we remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of good order and discipline,” the USFK said.

 

 

Source : https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2025/09/10/2003843552

 

Comprehension

Who filed a lawsuit against the US military, according to the article?
What time period did the forced prostitution mainly occur in South Korea?
What did South Korea¡¯s top court rule in 2022 about the government¡¯s role in brothels?
How much compensation are the victims now seeking from the US military?
Why have these women received less attention compared to the Japanese ¡°comfort women¡±?
What percentage of South Korea¡¯s GDP in the 1960s–70s came from the brothel economy?
What abuses did one victim recall suffering at the hands of US soldiers?
Why is the South Korean government named as the defendant in the lawsuit?
How many US soldiers are currently stationed in South Korea?
What was the USFK¡¯s response to the lawsuit?

Discussion

Why do you think this issue is only being addressed publicly after so many years?
How does war or foreign military presence affect local women and communities?
Should both the South Korean government and the US military be responsible for compensation? Why or why not?
Why do you think these victims were ¡°less visible¡± compared to Japan¡¯s ¡°comfort women¡±?
What does this story reveal about the connection between military power and human rights?
How important is an apology in addition to financial compensation?
What role should historians and activists play in cases like this?
Do you think governments sometimes hide abuses to protect political or military alliances?
How might younger generations in South Korea respond differently to this lawsuit than older generations?
What lessons can countries today learn from this history to prevent similar abuses in the future?

Vocabulary

Descendants – people related to someone from an earlier generation (children, grandchildren, etc.).
Landmark – very important, marking a significant change or stage.
Compensation ( – money given to someone for loss, suffering, or damage.
Plaintiff – a person who brings a case to court.
Defendant – the person or group accused in a court case.
Condone – to accept or allow bad behavior without punishment.
Stripped – taken away from someone, usually by force.