Minister Kim Hyun-sook Meets Grandmother Lee Yong-soo: "Will Review Possible Support Areas"

Grandmother I Yong-su Emphasizes the Need for 'CAT Referral'

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook met with Grandma Lee Yong-soo at the Government Seoul Office on the 8th to hear her opinions regarding the issue of Japanese military comfort women.

On the 8th, Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, met with Grandma Lee Yong-soo at the Government Seoul Office to hear her opinions on the issue of Japanese military 'comfort women.'

Grandma Lee Yong-soo stated, "The issue of Japanese military 'comfort women' is not only a matter for our people but also a heritage that must be remembered worldwide. Continuous government support is necessary to have it registered with UNESCO."

Grandma Lee Yong-soo emphasized, "To clarify the responsibility of the Japanese government regarding the Japanese military 'comfort women' issue, it is necessary to refer the matter to the Convention Against Torture for international recognition."

Grandma Lee Yong-soo has advocated for referring the issue to the United Nations under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) inter-state complaint procedure together with comfort women victims worldwide. While referral to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) requires the consent of both South Korea and Japan, pursuing the CAT arbitration procedure is possible without Japan's consent.

Minister Kim Hyun-sook responded, "Grandma Lee Yong-soo is a human rights activist who has worked to raise awareness and resolve the Japanese military 'comfort women' issue," adding, "The government will actively consider supporting the initiatives she wishes to pursue."

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