Legislation sought to allow transfer of damage claim from sex slaves

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SEOUL, Jan. 26 (Yonhap) -- A new law to allow the few remaining South Korean sex
slaves from World War II to transfer their right to claim compensation from the
Japanese government to their families has been introduced in South Korea's
National Assembly, the bill's sponsor said Monday.
If adopted, the bill, sponsored by Rep. Kim Young-sun of the ruling Grand National
Party, would allow Korean sex slaves to transfer their right to claim financial
compensation to their families when they die.
The move comes as the Japanese government refuses to recognize the damage of the
dwindling number of the former sex slaves. Japan claims that those women worked
voluntarily as prostitutes.
Historical records show that as many as 200,000 Asian women, many of them
Koreans, were forced to work as sex slaves at front-line Japanese brothels during
World War II. They demand an apology and financial compensation from Japan.
"It's an unprecedented crime committed against Asian women, including Koreans,
but Japan is just trying to wait out until every victim passes away," said the
lawmaker who sits on the Naitonal Assembly's Policy Committee.
The bill, if passed, would allow entrusted family members or civic organizations
to pursue damage claims against the Japanese government even after the victims
die, she said.
Japan ruled the Korean Peninsula as a colony from 1910-45.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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