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Hankyoreh file photo

It has been belatedly learned that a survivor of the Japanese military’s “comfort women” system of sexual slavery recently passed away.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family released a statement Thursday saying that Minister Jeong Young-ae sent her deep condolences regarding the recent passing of a victim of Japan’s wartime system of sexual exploitation.

The ministry did not release the personal information of the victim who passed on Feb. 17 per the request of the deceased’s family. The ministry said, “The family of the deceased finished funeral procedures and notified the ministry of the victim’s passing.”

Only 12 survive among the 240 “comfort women” victims registered with the government.

Jeong said, “The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will, on the one hand, strengthen government support for ‘comfort women’ victims so that they can spend their remaining years comfortably and in good health, and at the same time actively push for initiatives to recover the victims’ honor and integrity.”

By Lim Jae-woo, staff reporter

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