[Summary] "Which Country's Citizen Are You?" Democratic and Justice Parties Criticize Supporters of Professor Ramseyer

Professor John Mark Ramseyer of Harvard Law School, who caused a controversy by publishing a paper that classified Japanese military comfort women victims as prostitutes. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Amid ongoing controversy surrounding the paper by Harvard Law School professor John Mark Ramseyer, who labeled the victims of the Japanese military's comfort women system as prostitutes, the Democratic Party of Korea and the Justice Party raised their voices in criticism against certain groups supporting Professor Ramseyer, saying "the dignity of the Republic of Korea has plummeted."

On the 16th, Democratic Party spokesperson Heo Young issued a statement criticizing, "Even though the entire nation has united to correct distorted claims and demand a sincere apology, the lives of the comfort women victims have been completely denied by the endless reckless remarks and slanders of far-right forces."

He added, "Most of Ramseyer professor's references are records from Japan, the perpetrator. The materials from Korean authors are mostly problematic books used to distort the comfort women issue," and pointed out, "He even nullified the fact of forced mobilization, which has been acknowledged by international organizations and the Japanese government. As a scholar, he adapted the facts to suit his own taste without guaranteeing even the minimum objectivity."

Spokesperson Heo said, "There is more than enough evidence that his paper distorts the facts," and questioned, "Who exactly are the people supporting him, riding on a paper filled with distorted claims?" He further asked, "Why are conservative media and the People Power Party silent about their reckless remarks and slanders?"

The Justice Party also expressed regret toward the groups supporting Professor Ramseyer's paper.

On the same day, Justice Party spokesperson Jo Hyemin held a briefing at the National Assembly Communication Office, stating, "Some domestic figures and media are leading historical distortion, seizing this opportunity," and lamented, "They claimed the comfort women victims were fake through YouTube, and now, empowered by Ramseyer professor's paper, they are taking action. It is truly disheartening."

She continued, "At a time when everyone should come forward to prevent old wounds from reopening, such actions are lamentable," and said, "We strongly express regret over the movements that belittle the Japanese military comfort women victims' movement and engage in historical distortion."

Grandmother Lee Yong-soo, a surviving victim of the Japanese military sexual slavery, is holding a press conference on the 16th at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, urging to bring the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for judgment. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Earlier, Professor Ramseyer released a paper titled "Contracting for Sex in the Pacific War" last year, which included the claim that Japanese military comfort women were prostitutes, drawing international criticism.

In this paper, Professor Ramseyer argued that all Japanese military comfort women at the time were officially licensed prostitutes and were not sex slaves forced into prostitution.

In relation to this, some far-right figures and media in Korea have come out in support of Professor Ramseyer.

According to a report by MBC's "News Desk" on the 15th, far-right figures sent a letter of support for Professor Ramseyer to the academic journal that published the paper, and sent emails to American scholars who criticized Ramseyer, pressuring them with messages stating that "outsiders have no right to discuss this issue."

Additionally, a far-right online media outlet in Korea reportedly sent emails to Harvard University faculty and students, demanding the cancellation of an online lecture scheduled for the 17th, hosted by the Harvard Law School Asian Students Association, inviting comfort woman survivor Lee Yong-soo.

Meanwhile, on the 16th, Lee Yong-soo appealed to the government to refer the comfort women issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for judgment. The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations as stipulated in the UN Charter, and member states including Korea and Japan are obligated to abide by its rulings.

Lee, who serves as the representative of the "Committee to Promote Referral of the Japanese Military Comfort Women Issue to the ICJ," held a press conference at the Seoul Press Center on the same day, stating, "(Japan) is shamelessly insisting that our courts violate international law. They are still having Harvard professors lie for them," and emphasized, "We are not asking for money. We must receive full recognition and apology."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.