Yonsei and Hanyang University Professors Say "Ramseyer's Attack Is Xenophobia"... 'Comfort Women as Prostitutes' Controversy Spreads

Opinion Piece Submitted "Discussion, Not Criticism, Is Needed" Urges

Statue of Peace in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul

As Harvard University professor Mark Ramseyer sparked domestic and international outrage by claiming that 'comfort women were prostitutes,' current professors at Yonsei University and Hanyang University have published an op-ed arguing that criticism of Ramseyer is a form of 'xenophobia,' which is expected to cause controversy.

On the 18th (local time), Jo Phillips, associate professor at Yonsei University's Underwood International College, and Joseph Lee, associate professor of political science and diplomacy at Hanyang University, jointly contributed an English article titled "'Comfort Women' and Academic Freedom" to the American foreign affairs magazine The Diplomat.

They introduced themselves as "scholars based in South Korea" and began by calling for "discussion rather than condemnation" regarding Ramseyer's article.

They argued, "Attacking Ramseyer's academic integrity due to his private connections with Japan is unproductive and sounds xenophobic," adding, "Criticizing his article for lacking a Korean perspective presupposes a homogeneous and victim-centered 'Korean' viewpoint."

They continued, "In South Korea, restricting research and discussion on 'comfort women' has grown into a collective social and political mindset," stating, "These are matters that otherwise deserve passionate open debate."

They also mentioned Professor Park Yuha of Sejong University, who stirred controversy with the 2013 publication of 'The Empire of Comfort Women,' claiming, "Some scholars who publicly questioned the abduction theory of 'comfort women' have been excessively harassed by activists, investigated by their schools, and prosecuted by authorities."

On the 17th (local time), Korean organizations attending the rally demanding the withdrawal of the 'historical distortion thesis' waved the Taegeukgi and the Stars and Stripes in front of the Comfort Women Memorial in New Jersey.

The two professors cited So Jeong-hee's 2008 book, Comfort Women: Sexual Violence Between Korea and Japan and Records After Colonization, arguing that "activist groups selectively delete information that does not fit their narrative and amplify information that does."

They wrote, "According to the book, 'comfort woman' victim Kim Hak-sun testified early on to Yun Jeong-ok, head of the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance, that her adoptive father, who worked as a manager of a 'comfort station' in China, took her and another girl to China," but "in the testimony published in 1993, the adoptive father's role was removed."

They particularly noted, "It is well known and under discussion that many surviving 'comfort women' and bereaved families are willing to accept compensation from Japan," mentioning that "35 individuals accepted payments from the 1 billion yen fund established by Japan following the 2015 agreement between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-hye."

At the end of the op-ed, the professors stated, "Our purpose here is not to support Professor Ramseyer's article," adding, "Rather, as scholars and residents of South Korea, we seek empirical research and analysis instead of retractions and apologies."

Previously, Professor Lee faced criticism and demands for apology from some students after making remarks related to comfort women during a 2019 class, which also sparked a petition condemning his statements.

Hanyang University Educational Broadcasting reported that Professor Lee caused controversy by saying, "Korean historians have not utilized quantitative research and generalize all comfort women based on the worst cases of 5 to 10 individuals, making them nationalist liars."

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