Lee Yong-soo, 96, a survivor of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery system, delivered an emotional address to over 400 attendees at a rain-soaked rally in Seoul on Wednesday. The event marked the latest chapter in a three-decade-long weekly protest demanding accountability for victims of the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces’ “comfort women” program.
Lee, visibly frail but resolute, expressed gratitude to supporters braving the downpour outside the Japanese embassy. “Even with the rain coming down like this, seeing all of you here brings me to tears. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
The term “comfort women” refers to an estimated 200,000 women and girls—mostly from Korea, China, and Southeast Asia—forced into sexual slavery by Japanese forces during World War II. Protesters held placards and wore yellow ribbons symbolizing solidarity, chanting slogans for historical justice.
Wednesday’s gathering underscored the enduring fight for recognition, with activists emphasizing the need for formal apologies and reparations from Japan. Lee, one of fewer than 10 surviving South Korean victims, has become a global symbol of resilience, addressing the UN Human Rights Council in 2022.
