Statement of the Problem During World War II, over 200,000 Korean women were recruited under false pretenses, or kidnaped by the Japanese Imperial Army to serve in military camps as sex slaves. Many of these women were under the age of 18, and it is estimated, only 25-30% of them survived. Today, the tensions between Korea and Japan over this issue still exist, and cause controversy between the two nations.
3. Background and Previous Policy Efforts During World War II, many women in East Asia were victims of human trafficking and exploited for the militaries personal use. Korean women were especially vulnerable during this time and fell victims to human trafficking facilitated by Japan’s Imperial Armed Forces. Today, Korea and Japan have …show more content…
The Moon administration has designated an official day of commemoration on August 14th, the day Japan publicly surrendered to the Allies in 1945. The surrendering of Japan has an important symbolic identity issue attached to the day. Historically, Korea celebrates August 15th as their Independence Day; thus, choosing the day before as a day of commemoration for comfort women may suggest the root of the issue is also connected to Japan’s thirty-five-year control of Korea. Japan’s occupation of Korea has left bitter sentiment between the two nations, and has intensified small disputes over islands, the comfort women, and other small issues. This may shed further light onto why the Korean government is unwilling to make any compromises on the Comfort Women dispute.
5. Policy Options
Policy option #1: Picking Sides & Taking a Stance
Short description: Formally condemn Japan for the trafficking and exploitation of over 200,000 Korean women World War II. The United States should impose economic sanctions and tariffs on Japanese goods until the Prime Minister issues an apology.
○ Advantages: The United States’ can help Korea gain more leverage in negotiating an apology, and force Japan to take responsibility for their human rights violations,
○ Disadvantages: Potentially damage relations with Japan, negative economic impact if Japan refuses,
Policy option #2: Advocacy and
3. Background and Previous Policy Efforts During World War II, many women in East Asia were victims of human trafficking and exploited for the militaries personal use. Korean women were especially vulnerable during this time and fell victims to human trafficking facilitated by Japan’s Imperial Armed Forces. Today, Korea and Japan have …show more content…
The Moon administration has designated an official day of commemoration on August 14th, the day Japan publicly surrendered to the Allies in 1945. The surrendering of Japan has an important symbolic identity issue attached to the day. Historically, Korea celebrates August 15th as their Independence Day; thus, choosing the day before as a day of commemoration for comfort women may suggest the root of the issue is also connected to Japan’s thirty-five-year control of Korea. Japan’s occupation of Korea has left bitter sentiment between the two nations, and has intensified small disputes over islands, the comfort women, and other small issues. This may shed further light onto why the Korean government is unwilling to make any compromises on the Comfort Women dispute.
5. Policy Options
Policy option #1: Picking Sides & Taking a Stance
Short description: Formally condemn Japan for the trafficking and exploitation of over 200,000 Korean women World War II. The United States should impose economic sanctions and tariffs on Japanese goods until the Prime Minister issues an apology.
○ Advantages: The United States’ can help Korea gain more leverage in negotiating an apology, and force Japan to take responsibility for their human rights violations,
○ Disadvantages: Potentially damage relations with Japan, negative economic impact if Japan refuses,
Policy option #2: Advocacy and