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

Historical Memory The most elementary data among the ‘comfort women’-related records of the Allied Forces

Hwang Byoung-joo The author's interest lies in the modern transformation of Korea and he conducts relevant studies. He is currently involved in the project related to the war crimes of the Japanese military against ‘comfort women’ at the National Institute of Korean History.

Byeongju Hwang

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

Activism Voices of “Comfort Women”: A Global Civic Movement for Memory

The suffering of the Japanese Military “Comfort Women,” one of the most tragic human rights abuses of the 20th century, should be preserved and managed as historical documentary heritage. This is crucial to prevent such atrocities from recurring and provide a lesson to future generations.

Hye-in Han

Activism The Unique and Irreplaceable “Voices of ‘Comfort Women’”

The history of the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” issue has challenged long-standing conservative cultural norms regarding women and sexuality in Asia by amplifying the voices of the victims. Moreover, it has contributed to the establishment of globally significant norms and values related to women’s human rights. This means that the records documenting the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” issue and related activities meet the criteria of “world significance.”

Hye-in Han

Activism Navigating Memory Wars: A Research Journey Through the Politics of "Comfort Women" Commemoration

The spread of “Comfort Women” memorials across different cities and countries offers insights into both possibilities and the limits of memory activism, especially in an era when the world continues to confront the legacies of colonialism, racism, and historical injustice.

Dr. Daniel Schumacher

Activism Inside the Asia Pacific Peace Museum in Toronto

The Asia Pacific Peace Museum in Toronto, one of the few museums outside Asia dedicated to World War II in Asia, offers education that encourages critical reflection on war, memory, and peace.

Flora Mei-Ling Chong

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

Culture Art as Witness

What can art accomplish beyond aesthetics? Randy Jayne Rosenberg examines how it can preserve marginalized histories, support survivor testimony, and move audiences from observation toward ethical responsibility.

Randy Jayne Rosenberg

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

Activism “Voices of ‘Comfort Women’” as History in Progress

In 2022, as a result of Japan’s aggressive diplomacy, UNESCO’s MoW inscription rules were revised to require all documents to be submitted through national governments. Additionally, if a concerned country objects, the application is halted from entering the review process and must instead undergo a so-called “dialogue” procedure. Under these revised rules, any attempt by a victimized country to submit documents related to the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” is likely to be blocked before even reaching the review stage due to Japan’s opposition.

Hye-in Han

Culture Earth Is Not Flat - the Movie “Denial” Review

The movie “Denial” (Mick Jackson, 2017)

Heo Yoon

Culture No Longer Silenced!

A review of Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict, the UK’s first exhibition focusing on the issue of sexual violence during modern and contemporary global conflicts.

Nikolai Johnsen

Articles