Japan ordered to compensate wartime 'comfort women'

The South Korean court has ordered Japan to provide compensation to a group of women who were forcibly made to work in military brothels during World War Two. Recently, their case had been dismissed, but they decided to file a lawsuit in 2016.

The Seoul Central District Court initially rejected their claim, citing sovereign immunity. However, the recent ruling by the Seoul High Court has overturned this decision. The court justified its decision by recognizing South Korea's jurisdiction over the Japanese government, since the women lived in South Korea and were seeking compensation for acts that were deemed illegal. 

The court also argued that there should be a common international law that does not grant state immunity for illegal acts, regardless of whether they were considered sovereign acts. Lee Yong-soo, a 95-year-old activist and victim, expressed her deep gratitude to the court for the ruling. Upon leaving the courthouse, she told reporters, "I'm grateful. I'm really grateful." 

She expressed her desire to inform all the deceased victims about the verdict. Approximately 200,000 women and girls were forcibly exploited as prostitutes for Japanese soldiers during World War Two. 

The majority of these victims were Korean, while others hailed from mainland China, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Taiwan. Japan's Foreign Minister, Yoko Kamikawa, labeled the ruling as "highly regrettable and completely unacceptable". She further urged the Republic of Korea to promptly rectify its violations of international law.