INTERVIEW | Lee Young-hoon on the Evolution of the Comfort Women Issue

On July 10, scholars and researchers from Japan, South Korea, and the United States convened in Tokyo for an international symposium aimed at dispelling the myths surrounding the comfort women issue. South Korean scholar Lee Young-hoon, professor emeritus at Seoul National University, made a rare appearance in Tokyo for the event. 

Despite facing fierce criticism, American scholars have boldly asserted the facts of the comfort women history in academic papers. Japanese researchers have actively worked to disseminate factual information on the subject. In South Korea, intellectuals like Lee Young-hoon have also risked personal safety, advocating for historical accuracy. JAPAN Forward caught up with him at the symposium for an exclusive interview. 

Excerpts follow.

Lee Young-hoon on South Korean Perceptions 

How have different administrations in South Korea influenced discourse on the comfort women issue? 

South Korea may have seen various administrations over the past 10 or 20 years. However, whether from the left or right wing, there has been essentially no change in the recognition of the comfort women issue. The fundamental understanding that they were sex slaves forcibly recruited by Imperial Japan has not changed.

What are your thoughts on the role of activist groups like the Korean Council in addressing the comfort women issue and allegations of sex slavery?

The role of the Korean Council and its current leadership has been huge. They have significantly contributed to establishing the misunderstanding as a national consensus that comfort women serving the Japanese Imperial Army were forcibly recruited and subjected to sexual slavery. Over the past three decades, they have held weekly demonstrations before the [former] Japanese embassy. These gatherings have garnered widespread support, particularly among young people, with some years seeing tens of thousands of Koreans participating.

However, following the publication of our book, Anti-Japan Tribalism, many Koreans have started to recognize significant discrepancies in the comfort women narrative. Our assertion that comfort women were not forcibly recruited has gained acceptance among many Koreans. 

Consequently, the Korean Council's political and social influence has noticeably weakened. Moreover, revelations that former council head Yoon Mee Hyang misappropriated part of the funds it received have further diminished its credibility. Nevertheless, the council continues its weekly demonstrations at the [former] Japanese embassy site and strives to erect comfort women statues across the country.

How do you perceive the evolving public opinion on the comfort women issue in South Korea over the years? 

The core understanding that comfort women were forcibly recruited and coerced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military has remained essentially unchanged. 

However, significant criticism (of this narrative) has emerged since the publication of our book Anti-Japan Tribalism. Comfort women were not forcibly recruited, and they were not sex slaves. Instead, they were contract workers who collaborated with operators managing comfort stations. 

Comfort women returned home after repaying their advance payments or completing their contract terms. South Korean academia and politics have largely refrained from countering these criticisms. If a South Korean politician or president were to express support for our arguments, however, it would likely cause significant controversy. This is the current complex and contradictory situation in South Korea.

On Bridging the Gap Between South Korea and Japan 

What steps are needed for South Korea and Japan to reach reconciliation on the comfort women issue?

The crux of the issue lies within South Korea. How the country can collaborate with Japan is the critical question. Openly addressing these misconceptions about comfort women is critically important. Equally significant is fostering a national discussion within South Korean politics and media on reconciling with Japan. 

There have been two significant moves in the past regarding South Korea's relationship with Japan on this issue. 

First, there was the Kono Statement. With this statement, the Japanese government acknowledged a degree of responsibility for mobilizing comfort women and made efforts to compensate them through the Asian Women's Fund. 

Seoul pressed Tokyo for this statement. And yet, following its issuance, the South Korean government did not actively promote cooperation with Japan or support Japanese efforts for rapprochement.

What happened with the 2015 Comfort Women deal? 

The second was the 2015 bilateral deal between the governments of South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 

Japan proposed establishing a fund for reconciliation and cooperation. It was specifically to provide living expenses for former comfort women, amounting to approximately ¥1 billion JPY ($6.1 million USD). President Park accepted this fund and distributed living expenses to about half of the surviving comfort women at the time. 

However, the Korean Council hindered these efforts, which impeded government initiatives. Subsequently, the Moon Jae In administration dissolved the fund created by the Japanese government. It was a clear violation of international agreements. Furthermore, a South Korean court issued an order demanding the Japanese government compensate former comfort women again.

What will it take to overcome the differences between the two neighbors?

South Korea's breaches of these agreements created a significant hurdle to future cooperation with Japan on this issue. It underscores the need for all outstanding problems to be resolved within South Korea's domestic framework.

On Visiting Japan

What are your impressions of today's symposium? 

During my time in Japan, particularly in Tokyo, I've interacted with many Japanese individuals. This experience has deepened my understanding of the significance of South Korea and Japan aligning as peaceful and free nations, working together in partnership. It has underscored for me how essential it is for peaceful, democratic nations to harmonize and cooperate.

More About Lee Young-hoon

Dr Lee Young-hoon is a distinguished academic figure from South Korea. He is especially renowned for his critical analysis of anti-Japan sentiments in the country. 

A former professor at Seoul National University, he achieved widespread recognition through his influential book Anti-Japan Tribalism. The volume was co-authored with a group of Korean scholars. Published in 2019, it was also acclaimed as a bestseller in both Japan and South Korea. 

The book challenges established historical narratives concerning Japan's colonial policies and wartime labor mobilization. It also critically examines the contentious issue of comfort women. 

Lee's scholarly contributions have ignited substantial debate and controversy, solidifying his role as a leading voice in reassessing historical perspectives between Japan and South Korea.

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Author: Daniel Manning