South Korean Women Drag US Military To Court Over Forced Prostitution
More than 100 South Korean women who were forced into prostitution for American soldiers stationed in the country have filed a landmark lawsuit accusing the United States military of abuse, their lawyers revealed on Tuesday.
Historians and activists say tens of thousands of South Korean women were pushed into state-run brothels between the 1950s and 1980s to serve US troops deployed to protect Seoul from North Korea.
In 2022, South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled that the government illegally “established, managed and operated” such brothels, ordering compensation for around 120 victims.
Last week, 117 women filed a fresh case, this time demanding an official apology and 10 million won ($7,200) each from Washington.
One plaintiff, now in her 60s, recounted being lured at 17 with promises of a bartending job but was instead forced into sex work. “I still cannot forget being beaten by US soldiers — slapped for lowering my head while pouring drinks, for not smiling, or for no reason at all,” she said.
She added that she and others endured weekly venereal disease tests and painful penicillin injections. “Every night we were dragged to US soldiers and sexually abused… the shots were so harsh that my legs gave out and I couldn’t even walk.”
Women’s rights activists backing the lawsuit accused the US military of trampling South Korea’s constitution and destroying the women’s lives.
The case names the South Korean government as the defendant, since under existing law it must pay compensation first and later seek reimbursement from Washington.
“This lawsuit seeks to hold both the South Korean government and the US military authorities jointly liable for the unlawful acts,” lawyer Ha Ju-hee explained.
The US still maintains about 28,500 troops in South Korea. Responding to AFP, United States Forces Korea said it was “aware of the reports regarding the issue” but would not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.
It added, “We affirm that we do not condone any behaviour that violates Republic of Korea laws, rules, or directives, and we remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of good order and discipline.”
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