S. Korea says use of ‘comfort women’ a crime against humanity
South Korean President Moon Jae-in described Japan’s wartime use of « comfort women » as « crimes against humanity » on Thursday in some of his strongest comments yet, sparking an immediate protest from his key ally in containing North Korea.
Moon said during a speech marking a national holiday commemorating Korean resistance to Japanese occupation — his first since taking office last year — that Japan was in no position to declare the emotionally charged issue settled.
« As the perpetrator, the Japanese government shouldn’t say ‘it’s over’, » Moon said. « Wartime crimes against humanity can’t be swept under the rug by saying ‘it’s over’. »
His comments drew an immediate rebuke from Tokyo. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga described Moon’s comments as « extremely regrettable. »
Suga, speaking at a regular briefing, also urged cooperation between South Korea and Japan to tackle the threat posed by North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs.
Japan and South Korea share a bitter history that includes Japan’s 1910-45 colonization of the peninsula and the use of « comfort women », Japan’s euphemism for women — many of them Korean — forced to work in its wartime brothels.
