Authors:
- Kyounghee Cho, Department of Computer Science, Birmingham City University - ORCID

- Siyao Xing, 국제관계연구소 (Center for International Studies), 인하대학교 (Inha University)

Abstract: »This study compares the political responses of the Republic of Korea and the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the issue of Japanese military “comfort women.” While existing research has primarily examined victims' human rights, Japan's postwar responsibility, and Korea–Japan diplomatic disputes, it has overlooked why two nations with comparable colonial legacies have developed divergent trajectories of memory politics. Addressing this gap, the study analyzes how historical perceptions and domestic political contexts shape the construction and management of the “comfort women” issue within broader domestic and diplomatic arenas. The analysis proceeds along two dimensions: (1) domestic memory politics, focusing on comfort women–related legislation and policies, textbook narratives, and public commemorations; and (2) diplomatic memory politics, focusing on Korea–Japan and Taiwan–Japan relations. Based on government and civil society sources, the study finds that South Korea has institutionalized the “comfort women” issue as a key political and diplomatic agenda, while Taiwan's engagement remains largely symbolic due to domestic political constraints, weaker civic activism, and strategic ties with Japan. This comparative analysis demonstrates that memory politics in East Asia is a dynamic process mediated by political institutions, civil society, and foreign policy strategy, offering broader insights into how states construct and instrumentalize historical memory in international relations.« (Source: Pacific Focus)

Contents:

	Abstract (p. 1)
	1 | Introduction (p. 1)
	2 | Theoretical Framework and Literature Review (p. 2)
		2.1 | Conceptualizing Memory Politics: Definition and Key Features (p. 2)
		2.2 | The Structure and Operational Mechanisms of Memory Politics (p. 3)
		2.3 | Limitations of Existing Research and Analytical Approach (p. 3)
	3 | The Process of Publicizing the “Comfort Women” Issue in South Korea and Taiwan, and Differences in Historical Perceptions of Japan (p. 4)
	4 | Domestic Memory Politics Regarding the “Comfort Women” Issue (p. 5)
		4.1 | Enactment of Laws and Policies Related to “Comfort Women” (p. 5)
		4.2 | Historical Textbook Narratives (p. 6)
		4.3 | Public Memorialization and the Politics of Commemoration (p. 8)
	5 | Diplomatic Memory Politics (p. 9)
		5.1 | Korea-Japan and Taiwan-Japan Relations (p. 9)
		5.2 | Memory Carriers for Diplomatic Memory Politics (p. 11)
	6 | Conclusion (p. 12)
	Acknowledgments (p. 12)
	Funding (p. 12)
	Conflicts of Interest (p. 12)
	Data Availability Statement (p. 12)
	Endnotes (p. 13)
	References (p. 13)

Wikipedia: History of Asia: History of China / History of the Republic of China, History of Taiwan (1945–present) | History of Asia: History of Japan / Shōwa era | History of Asia: History of Korea / Korea under Japanese rule, History of South Korea | Diplomacy: Bilateral relations of Japan / Japan–South Korea relations, Japan–Taiwan relations | Memory: Politics of memory / Collective memory | Prostitution: Forced prostitution / Comfort women | Sex and the law: Wartime sexual violence / Sexual violence in World War II | War: Pacific War / Japanese war crimes