Anyone who spreads false claims about the victims of Japan's wartime military sexual slavery, euphemistically known as "comfort women," will now face criminal punishment.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said Monday that the revised Comfort Women Victims Act and its enforcement decree, containing such provisions, will take effect Tuesday. Until now, only defamation or defamation of the deceased under the criminal code could be applied, prompting criticism that punishment had its limits.
With the revised law in effect, anyone who spreads false claims denying or distorting the facts of Japan's wartime "comfort women" suffering through newspapers, broadcasts, exhibitions, or gatherings can be sentenced to up to five years in prison or fined up to 50 million won. However, artistic, academic, research, and journalistic activities are excluded from punishment to guarantee freedom of expression.
The ministry also plans to survey the status of symbols and monuments installed to commemorate Japan's wartime "comfort women" victims. Through this, it aims to lay the foundation for systematically protecting commemorative spaces.
"The courageous testimonies of the victims of Japan's wartime military sexual slavery have left behind the precious values of human rights and peace," Gender Equality Minister Won Min-kyung said. "With the enforcement of this law, I hope that the honor and dignity of the victims will be protected and that proper remembrance and education based on historical facts will spread throughout our society."
