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S. Korean students learn about comfort women with new textbooks

September 22, 2015
tudents at Yonhi Middle School in Seoul learn about sexual slavery during World War II with study material produced by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Tuesday. The ministry put out the material to raise awareness of the issue among students. (Yonhap)

tudents at Yonhi Middle School in Seoul learn about sexual slavery during World War II with study material produced by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Tuesday. The ministry put out the material to raise awareness of the issue among students. (Yonhap)

By Kim Se-jeong

Thirty-two students at Yonhi Middle School in Seoul had a special history class on sexual slavery during World War II, using special textbooks, Tuesday.

The workbooks, along with a three-minute video, were released as part of the government’s initiative to raise the students’ awareness of the subject.

The ninth graders watched the video, which was followed by a brief lecture from a teacher. They followed up by working on questions from the book during their 50-minute class.

“It is important for students like you to know what happened and understand this terrible part of our history,” Gender Equality and Family Minister Kim Hee-jung told the students ahead of the class.

“Sexual slavery is an ongoing issue related to rights of women around the world, and your role will be important in solving it.”

She said the release of the materials marked a milestone in public and private efforts at raising awareness of the issue and getting Japan to apologize.

History teacher Kwon O-chung said the textbook presents a comprehensive approach to the issue. “The existing history textbook only covers the subject briefly. The new workbook helps students understand what a sex slave is; how the women were forced into the situation; and what that means to the victims,” Kwon said.

The session was well received by the students.

“I’ve heard about sex slaves, but didn’t know the details until today ― especially how they were forced into slavery,” Kim Do-hee, one of the students, said. “As a woman, the issue touches me deeply, and I feel sorry for the victims.”

As the issue of sexual slavery has gained public attention, calls for extensive education for school children are growing. The ministry prepared the workbook in three versions ― for elementary, middle and high schools. History teachers took part in the project.

Yonhi School is one of the 17 around the country that has chosen to use this material for its students. A ministry official said that more schools are likely to join the program. The material is available online at www.hermuseum.go.kr.

Almost 200,000 women were estimated to have been forced into sexual slavery across Asia before and during World War II. The majority were from Korea, along with some from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other countries. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has refused to recognize the atrocity, saying the women voluntarily became prostitutes to make money. In Korea, 47 women who were victims are still survive, with an average age of 89.

60 Comments

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  5. Chiu Kok-chiung

    September 23, 2015 at 12:54 AM

    Mr Kim Hee-jung can establish contact with agencies in China, Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia which serve the interests of those
    unfortunate women who are still alive. Through exchange of information
    these agencies may expand their knowledge of these women across Asia
    with a view to promoting their common understanding and friendhsip among themselves.

    Reply

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