The Research Institute on Japanese Military Sexual Slavery (hereinafter referred to as “RIMSS”) has been operating as an affiliate of the Women’s Human Rights Institute of Korea under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family since August 2018. RIMSS carries out diverse activities such as research and investigation, academic planning, operation of archives and data centers, and victim support, with a particular focus on the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery (euphemistically termed “Comfort Women” during the war) and sexual violence against women in armed conflicts. In order to embody the vision of the Women’s Human Rights Institute of Korea as a “central agency for supporting victims of gender-based violence and enhancing human rights,” and to raise awareness of violence against women, RIMSS is making the following efforts:
It collects and organizes new materials from both domestic and international sources, operates the Archive814 and data center, and continuously identifies and supports emerging researchers at home and abroad. Through these efforts, RIMSS is not only strengthening the foundation of research but also building a global platform for scholarly collaboration.
By hosting international academic conferences that span multiple countries and disciplines, it expands international exchange on women’s human rights. It also supports the securing of UNESCO inscription of records documenting the Japanese military sexual slavery, thereby drawing international attention to the issue. Furthermore, by organizing exhibitions on the Japanese military sexual slavery and publishing a bilingual (Korean/English) webzine Kyeol and newsletters, RIMSS strives to build an educational foundation across online and offline platforms.
Through close monitoring and multidimensional support, RIMSS helps survivors maintain stable lives. In addition, by supporting civic organizations, it promotes various commemorative projects that honor the victims and preserve historical memory.
In this way, RIMSS serves multiple roles: as a hub of academic research, a venue for public discourse and engagement, and a provider of practical support for survivors.
Kyeol, a webzine published by RIMSS, supports scholarship on the Japanese military sexual slavery issue, engages public interest, and enhances the general public’s understanding.
Designed by: Slowwalk, Mindbloom
The Japanese military sexual slavery issue is deeply intertwined with colonial rule, war, sexuality, human rights, violence, and international crimes, making it difficult to summarize in a single phrase. The name of the webzine, Kyeol (“grain” or “texture”), reflects our intention to closely examine and unfold the complex and multifaceted aspects of the Japanese military sexual slavery issue.
* Definition of Kyeol: A state or pattern in which the hard and soft parts of the structure, such as wood or stone, are arranged in layers or interwoven in a consistent way.
The webzine Kyeol aims to provide a foundation for a deeper understanding and exploration of the Japanese military sexual slavery issue through processes in which facts and perspectives intricately intersect. Its logo, featuring three overlapping circles shaded with progressively denser textures, visualizes this approach. The three circles symbolize Kyeol’s core values: (1) Recognizing the complexity of the Japanese military sexual slavery issue, (2) Thinking with precision and depth, and (3) Accepting the issue as one’s own.
RIMSS regularly publishes a wide range of content on the Japanese military sexual slavery issue through the webzine Kyeol, making the subject more accessible to the general public. We hope the articles in Kyeol will contribute to expanding interest and fostering a deeper understanding of the Japanese military sexual slavery issue.
Note: The views expressed by external contributors to Kyeol are those of the authors and not necessarily those of RIMSS.
