Briefing Note: Japan-South Korea Relations and Comfort Women

This briefing note addresses the sensitive issue of the Comfort Women Statue in Seoul, prepared for the Japanese Ambassador. It examines the historical context of sexual slavery and abuse of Korean women during World War II, the erection of the statue in 2011, and the subsequent diplomatic tensions between Japan and South Korea. The note outlines the 2015 deal, its rejection by Korean citizens, and the current situation, including the closure of the Japanese-funded foundation. Key considerations include the Japanese government's stance, the demands for an official apology, and the need to maintain peaceful relations. The options and recommendations focus on effective treaties and neutral resolutions, aiming to mend relations and address colonial-era issues. The briefing note provides references to relevant sources, including E-INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, History.com, REUTERS, South China Morning Post, and NPR.

BRIEFING NOTE
Purpose and Issues:
· A speech and answers to the questions by South Korean Media are to be faced.
· The event is of the seventh anniversary of the construction of the Comfort Women Statue in
Seoul in 2011.
Background:
· The “Statue of Peace”, also known as the “Comfort Women Statue” in Japan, is a
representation of sexual slavery and abuse on Korean women by the Japanese Army men or
imperial military in the era of World War ll.
· The Korean council proposed that a memorial should be built in front of the Embassy of Japan
in Seoul, South Korea, to honor the pain of the comfort women. The proposal was first realized
on 14 December 2011. It was the time when the bronze statue was placed in front of the
embassy.
· In 2015, Japan and South Koreas tried to make a deal regarding this matter of Comfort Women
Statue. Japan was required to compensate the victims and "issue a statement of regret" i.e. an
official apology. South Korea would have removed the first of the statues, which went up in
2011 in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul.
· However, the Korean citizens and activists did not accept the deal. They kept putting more
statues up. On the happening of the same, the Japanese government got angry and recalled the
ambassadors from South Korea for a few months.
Current Situation:
· South Korea has ceased in 2015 agreement on November 21, 2018.
· It has also closed the Japanese-funded comfort women foundation that had had actually been
started to pay the agreed settlement.
· Besides the Comfort Women statue issue and other older issues, in recent years, the Forced
Labour has also been an issue in the relation of these two countries.
Key Considerations:
· The Japanese government never directly accepted its involvement in the sex trade and
abuse of Korean women during the Second World War.
· But, to strike down the conflicts and the statues of comfort women, the Japanese
government proposed a deal.
· Also it crowd-funded money to compensate the victims still alive.
· The citizens, victims themselves and the activists did not really want the money though
some accepted it throughout the previous years.
· The Korean Government, however, effectively shut down the deal rather the compensation
programme.
· Their prime demand was an official apology from the Japanese Government.
Options:

· The Japanese Government has always tried to mend the relations with the Korean
Government.
· The deal could have been effectively implemented.
· The issues are mainly rooted in the colonial era that has passed decades ago; the issues
should be resolved soon too.
Recommendations:
· More effective and neutral treaties, deals etc. can be considered in the future.
· The alliance shall be peaceful in the future.
· Both the countries shall resolve the issues in more neutral ways.
Reading References:
1. E-INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. Accessed 6th May,
2019. https://www.e-ir.info/2019/03/18/telling-the-story-of-the-comfort-women/
2. Ibid; https://www.e-ir.info/2016/03/30/appraising-the-comfort-women-agreement-between-
japan-and-south-korea/
3. History. Accessed 6th May, 2019. https://www.history.com/news/comfort-women-japan-
military-brothels-korea
4. REUTERS. Accessed 5th May, 2019. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-japan-
comfortwomen/south-koreas-surviving-comfort-women-spend-final-years-seeking-atonement-
from-japan-idUSKCN1NS024
5. South China Morning Post. Accessed 7th May, 2019. https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-
opinion/asia/article/2157956/comfort-women-and-japans-war-history-abes-historical
6. National Public Radio, Parallels. Accessed 7th May,
2019. https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/11/13/563838610/comfort-woman-
memorial-statues-a-thorn-in-japans-side-now-sit-on-korean-buses