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| Former sex slave Lee Yong-soo shouts at First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam, during his visit to a shelter for sexual slavery survivors in Seoul to brief them on an agreement with Japan, Tuesday. The victims said they cannot accept the agreement. / Yonhap |
By Kim Se-jeong
The landmark deal between Korea and Japan over the sexual slavery issue is triggering a backlash from civic groups and the victims of Japan's wartime atrocities.
On Monday, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and his counterpart Fumio Kishida announced that the Japanese government would pay 1 billion yen ($8.3 million) to establish a fund for the 46 surviving former sex slaves.
They called the agreement "final and irreversible" on condition that Japan fulfills its promises.
However, the failure of Japan to state its legal responsibility for the victims is raising skepticism about the sincerity of the Japanese government.
The surviving former sex slaves criticized the Korean government for failing to communicate with them before hastily striking the deal with the Japanese government.
"I do not buy this deal," said Yoon Mee-hyang, head of the Korean Council for Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, an NGO which organizes a weekly protest in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul.
"This issue can't be resolved without the voices of the victims being heard. But, the negotiations took place only between the two governments. We will continue to campaign and explain why the agreement is invalid."
She expressed particular anger at the foreign ministry for a lack of communication beforehand, saying the government never talked to the victims her organization takes care of.
"The government says the agreement is irreversible and the victims cannot raise even a question about the issue. The ministry is infringing on individual victims' rights and it is unconstitutional," Yoon said.
The ministry sent two vice ministers to Yoon's organization and to the House of Sharing, a shelter for the victims in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, to brief them about the agreement, Tuesday.
Lee Yong-soo, 88, one of the victims, said, "Throwing out money and asking us to forget the past, that's disgusting. I am sure all the victims who have passed away would agree with me."
The Korea American Forum of California, a U.S.-based civic group, joined the condemnation.
Kim Hyun-jeong, the forum's president, said, "Korean victims are one of many. It appears that Japan is trying to put a lid on other victims around the world through this. Also, I feel that Japan is behind the quickly spreading news around the world so that this issue will be buried forever."
But some recognize the agreement, saying it's time to move on.
"It is recognizable that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe apologized," a member of the Citizens United for Better Society said.
A college student, surnamed Lee, said, "It is positive that Japan is showing a more mature attitude than before. It is regrettable that they failed to mention their legal responsibilities, but if Japan is sincere in carrying out the follow-up measures, I think the victims and the public should accept the agreement."
An Internet user also said, "I think it was good that Korea grabbed the offer from Japan, which used to be adamant on its stance. It's time to leave the past behind and build a more constructive future for the two nations."
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