Kim Yang-ju, survivor of Japanese military’s “comfort women” system, dies at 98

Posted on : 2022-05-03 17:51 KST Modified on : 2022-05-03 17:51 KST
With Kim’s passing, only 11 survivors officially registered with the Korean government are still living
Kim Yang-ju takes part in the 1,039th Wednesday Demonstration on Sept. 12, 2012. (provided by the Korean Council)
Kim Yang-ju takes part in the 1,039th Wednesday Demonstration on Sept. 12, 2012. (provided by the Korean Council)

Kim Yang-ju, who was a victim of the Japanese imperial army’s “comfort women” system of sexual slavery, has died at the age of 98.

The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan announced Kim’s death on Monday. Kim, who was living in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, reportedly passed away around 10 pm on Sunday.

Born in 1924 in Jinan, North Jeolla Province, Kim moved to Masan, South Gyeongsang Province with her mother and sister and was taken to Manchuria by a Japanese policeman in the fall of 1940.

Kim was beaten due to insubordination, which resulted in her injuring her right eardrum and losing her hearing. After liberation, Kim returned to Masan and made a living by babysitting, cleaning, housekeeping, working as a day laborer, and selling goods.

Kim officially registered as a victim of Japanese sexual slavery in 2005 with the South Korean government. Even though she lived in Changwon, Kim still participated in the famous Wednesday Demonstrations calling for justice for victims of Japan’s war crimes in Jongno, Seoul, outside where the Japanese Embassy used to be.

With Kim’s passing, only 11 of the 240 victims of Japanese wartime sexual slavery registered with the Korean government remain alive.

“Grandmother Kim Yang-ju suffered from [issues related to] old age for a long time,” Minister of Gender Equality and Family Chung Young-ai said Monday, adding that she hopes Kim can now find peace after having gone through so many difficulties throughout her life.

“Now only 11 survivors remain who are registered with the government. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will support Japanese military comfort women victims so that they can spend the rest of their lives comfortably, while actively promoting projects to restore the honor and dignity of the victims,” Chung said.

A public funeral will be held for Kim at the funeral hall of Masan Medical Center at 8 am on Wednesday.

By Seo Hye-mi, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]

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