The Women's News : Korea representative women media
[interview] Professor Alexis Dudden
“‘Comfort Women’ Is an Ongoing Pain”
Issued a joint statement criticizing Japan’s attempt to distort ‘comfort women’ issue Calling for more people to speak up and band together
Strong opposition against Japanese Government’s attempts to distort history is arising inside and outside of Japan. On May 25th, 16 Japanese historical and educational organizations issued a statement to express concerns about distortion of ‘comfort women’ issue referring to the coercive sex slavery during the World War II by Japanese Imperial Army...
"We were the comfort women of the US Army"
122 women of military camp town file lawsuit against the country
122 women who suffered from sex trafficking within the American military camp town have raised their voices and filed a compensation suit against the country. On June 25 at the Seoul Women Plaza, Korean Women's Association United, Military Camp Town Women Rights Association, Seumtuh and National Compensation Defense Council of Military Camp Town Comfort Wo...
‘Time to act to end violence against women!’
Representatives from about 150 countries held conferences on countermeasures
Throughout history, there have always been sexual violence committed against physically vulnerable women. Over the past several months, in particular, hundreds of women have fallen victim to violence. In April, the Nigerian militant Islamist Group Boko Haram leader announced “I abducted about 300 girls. I will sell them in the market.” A month later, ...
Once again, Prime Minister Abe denies wartime comfort women were coerced
At a time when senior defense officials from Tokyo and Seoul began discussing the dispute over Japan’s use of sex slaves during World War II, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe showed his intention to change the Kono Statement, arguing “There is no evidence that women were forced to work in Japanese military brothels.” On April 17, an American weekly n...
Comments on comfort women made by the Japanese winner of the Miss International caused an outcry
Recently, a 27-year old Ikumi Yoshimatsu, the winner of Miss International 2012, said that she is ‘embarrassed’ by the way the Japanese government has been addressing the issue of comfort women. In an interview with CBS, held on March 29, Yoshimatsu said “Although people have different opinions, it is a hard fact that there were women and girls fo...
Among the disabled, people with intellectual disability suffer from sexual violence the most
Housings and shelters need to be expanded Employees at relevant service providers should be better treated Systems are needed to enhance the public’s sensitivity toward minorities
In its celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, the National Conference on Women announced that Jarim Welfare Foundation epitomizes gender inequality in Korea. The two directors of the Foundation are reported to have committed sexual violence against 10 females with disability for the last two decades. Furthermore, the employees of the Foundati...
Segye Ilbo reported “Are female con artists gone?”
Women’s groups refuted “Segye Ilbo distorted people’s views on sexual violence.”
On March 7, women’s human rights organizations including the National Association of Korea Sexual Violence Relief Centers pointed out that Segye Ilbo should admit that its article “A drop in the rate of sexual assault cases charged with courts… Are female con artists gone?” distorted people’s views on sexual violence and that it shou...
Is it pure dance or pornography ?
Female idol groups, slammed for being too raunchy ‘Mental prostitution’ Mass media should get engaged in self-reflection
Music videos often show female K-POP idols in cleavage-baring or translucent outfits. Their dance moves are provocative enough to remind one of a porn movie. In one movie clip, girls lie down on the ground or kneel down and proceed to a sexually stimulating dance sequence. In another, a female singer lies in a bathtub or appears asleep with soft white sheets coverin...
The exhibit “Flowers that never fade”
Held at the Korea Manhwa Museum until March 16 Participated by Korea’s best cartoonists
The Korean cartoon exhibition held under the theme of “Flowers that never fade” at the Angouleme International Comics Festival is being displayed at the Korea Manhwa Museum as an encore. Under a shared vision of promoting people’s awareness about the truth behind the issue of “comfort women,” top artists such as Lee Hyunse, Kim Gwangs...
Exhibition on “comfort women” at the Angouleme Festival
17,000 visitors at the Korean Exhibition “Now I understand the tragedy” “Never lose courage!”
Despite Japan’s pressure on the organizing committee to reconsider the Korean exhibition on “comfort women” issue, “Flowers That Never Fade” was held successfully. During the four-day Angouleme International Comics Festival, around 17,000 people visited the Korean cartoon exhibition featuring the comfort women issue. The exhibition...
Female victims of sexual violence
‘The Milk of Sorrow’ The movie won the Berlin film festival’s top Golden Bear award
The Milk of Sorrow is transmitted through the breast milk of pregnant women who were abused or raped during Peru’s decades of civil strife. Though not officially identified by medical science, people believe that Peruvians suffering from the disease live in constant psychic trauma. Fausta(Magaly Solier) is the heroine of “The Milk of Sorrow” di...
"I would even say that Kim Hak-Sun’s testimony was the impetus to my writing career"
[WOMEN NEWS Interview]Korean-American writer Kalliope Lee
The world memorial day for Comforted Women(Kim Hak-soon's day) was made anniversary on 14th Aug, 2013 for the first time. Civic groups in U.S., Germany, Philippines, Taiwan and Japan have launched a united international rally in protest to Japan’s attitude toward comforted women issue. The campaign to obtain signatures for 100 million people was started in Jul...
“Jeanne D’Arcs of Korea”
“Female Independence Army is the first female army”
To fight against Japan, they recruited soldiers, carried out propaganda activities, and received military training. As we celebrate the “73rd anniversary” of the Female Army, the age-old tradition of the Female Independence Army has to be inherited “Female Independence Army is the first female army. The foundation day of the Korean female arm...
Rape: Zimbabwe’s Political Weapon
Men divorce wives raped in politically motivated circumstances In a deeply patriarchal country, women still considered as men’s property
In a deeply patriarchal country, women still considered as men’s property  Zimbabwe has been run by Robert Mugabe(89) for the last 33 years. Until recently, he was at the center of attention as he was accused of vote rigging in a bid to continue his 33-year reign. This time, the country became the talk of the town as rape is being used to target male politi...
Korean Women's Leadership - Economy
10 Million Korean Women Economically Active, Led by Proactive Women CEOs
The population of economically active women in Korea amounts to 10 million. Many believe the nation's future growth potential depends on efficient utilization of the female workforce. Activities of women CEOs are especially arresting our eyes. The number of companies run by women is 15,940 in 2007, accounting for 35.9 percent of the total.     The numbe...
Policies to Support Female-owned Business in Korea
Small and Medium Business Administration develops plans to promote women''s participation in economic activities with the enactment of Women''s Business Support Act in 1999
With the enactment of the Women's Business Support Act in 1999, the Korean government started to support female-owned business and assist women in starting their own businesses. With the passage of last June's revised bill, which expands the definition of "businesswomen" from "female executives in female-owned or managed companies" to "fem...