Webzine-KYEOL │ Research Institute on Japanese Military Sexsual Slavery (RIMSS)

Historical Memory Confidential Documents of Thailand’s Supreme Command - the Japanese Military “Comfort Stations” existed in Thailand

Patporn Phoothong

Education Accurate and Insightful: A Wise Approach to Engaging with “Comfort Women” Records and Information

At a time when the history of the Japanese military “Comfort Women” is increasingly being disparaged and distorted, digital archives are expanding their role as both a reliable repository of information and a platform for communication.

Kim Seo-yeon

[사진 2] 2020년 8월 16일, 팔레스타인 여성지원센터가 조직한 여성 폭력 반대 캠페인 (사진 제공 : (사)아디)

Current Issue Encountering Palestinian Women Who Stand Tall Amid Daily Crisis and Violence

Palestinian women who endure and resist occupation, oppression, and patriarchal structures, steadfastly continue life for the next generation.

Lee Dong-hwa

Historical Memory How did Japan set up the “comfort stations” in Hainan Island (海南島) and mobilize “comfort women”?

The right-wingers in Japan deny any direct involvement of the Japanese government, citing that the documents proving that the Japanese Army or Japanese government had directly ordered the establishment of the “comfort stations” have never been found. They also claim that neither the Japanese army nor the Japanese government were involved in mobilizing “comfort women”, and that private businesses simply recruited “comfort women” by illegal means. Having accepted these claims, the Abe administration is contradicting what the previous Japanese government had admitted.

Choi Jong-gil

Activism Tackling Contested Histories for a Deeper Understanding of the Past and Present

The Contested Histories Initiative (CHI) is a Europe-based NGO dedicated to studying disputes over historical memorials in public spaces and promoting critical engagement with them. CHI’s Program Director, Paula O’Donohoe, spoke with Kyeol about the organization’s work and its broader vision.

Paula O’Donohoe

Education Hoping for the Publication of an English Collection of Testimonials on ‘Comfort Women’ to Prevent Distortions and Expand Empathy in the International Community

Professor Jing Williams considers her education on the “Comfort Women” issue as “a process of planting seeds for the future,” recognizing that some of her students may become advocates for women’s human rights.

Jing Williams

Culture The Past and Future of Testimony Presented by the “Comfort Women” : Testimony as Evidence and as Actions

This achievement of historical research will serve as a basis for listening to testimonies in depth beyond the narrow standard of “fact verification.”

Lee Jieun

#testimony

Culture [We Met, and Now We Are Healing Together] Interview with Ahn Hae-ryong and Ito Takashi

The photo exhibition , in which the victims of the Japanese Military ‘Comfort Women’ (called ‘Comfort Women’) from South Korea and North Korea join together, was held from March 6 to 11 at Exhibition Hall 2 of the Insa Art Center.

Ahn Hae-ryong

Current Issue Beyond Nationalism: The Ongoing History of the “Comfort Women” and Gender Politics

Carol Gluck

ATIS SWPA Research Report No.120 표지 (출처 : 국사편찬위원회)

Historical Memory Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATISP) Research Report No. 120

The data that exists on the Japanese Military ‘Comfort Women’ is classified into several categories. First of all, we have the data produced by the Japanese military, which acted as the principal for the organization and operation of the comfort stations. It is the most accurate data as it was created by the directly involved parties. A considerable amount of data has been unearthed that describes the installation and operation of the comfort stations, allowing us to fully grasp the harsh reality and identify the complete responsibility of the Japanese military. However, a large amount of the data created by the Japanese military have since vanished due to the organized destruction of the pertinent materials, which has made it intrinsically difficult to bring the remaining data to light owing to various circumstances.

Byeongju Hwang

Other Listening to Halmonis, Writing against Denial: A Personal and Scholarly Journey

Stories of “Comfort Women” are as insightful as they are heartbreaking. In this article, the author—an Argentine scholar—traces her journey from her first encounter with survivors and reflects on how it reshaped her personal and professional life, while also following the transnational itinerary of the “Comfort Women” movement across borders.

María del Pilar Álvarez

Current Issue Women’s Solidarity in Our Troubled Times of Gendered Violence and War

Rada Iveković

Articles