Author: -

Abstract: »The “comfort women” issue has been a point of contention among scholars regarding Japan’s impact during its imperial reign. In the context of Korea, discussions about the implementation, usage, aftermath, and reparation movements stemming from this problem have been widespread. However, a looming question that stands out regarding the addressal and redressal of Korean 'comfort women' is: What caused this movement to only gain momentum after the 90s?
Using current secondary literature, newspapers, and oral histories, this article answers this question with three main 'social norms' foundational in Cold War Korea. Former Korean 'comfort women' were constrained by gender, familial, and cultural norms, which served as social barriers with grave consequences for those who chose to speak out about their past during Cold War Korea. These pressures effectively forced many into silence. Additionally, these 'social consequences' were further accentuated under the Chung-Hee dictatorship to solidify his power.« (Source: The Webster Review of International History)

Contents:

	Abstract (p. 1)
	History behind the “Comfort Women stations” (p. 1)
	Values of pre-Colonial Korea and their legacy (p. 2)
	Under Japanese rule: The stories of former Korean sex slaves (p. 4)
	Park Chung-Hee and the Yushin Constitution (p. 9)
	Under the Augmented norms: Aid of the silence (p. 10)
	Conclusion: From Autocracy to Democracy – “Addressing” Comfort Women (p. 11)
	Bibliography (p. 13)

Wikipedia: History of Asia: History of Japan / Shōwa era | History of Asia: History of Korea / Korea under Japanese rule, History of South Korea | Prostitution: Forced prostitution / Comfort women | Sex and the law: Wartime sexual violence / Wartime sexual violence in World War II | War: Pacific War / Japanese war crimes