(29 May 1996) Korean/Nat
In South Korea, angry women of all ages gathered in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday to protest at Japan's compensation plan for former comfort women.
The demonstrators say the proposed compensation scheme is unofficial and also want Japan to officially apologize to the women for forcing them into sexual slavery.
In a show of angry protest, the Japanese flag was once again set ablaze in front of the Japanese Embassy in the South Korean capital, Seoul.
About 200 women, including former comfort women and students, gathered at the Embassy as they have been doing every Wednesday for the past five years.
A formal letter of protest was delivered to an official at the embassy.
Students pasted posters with anti-President Kim Young-sam slogans on the embassy wall.
The demonstrators were protesting at Japan's compensation plan for comfort women which they claim is not official and is a an easy way out for both governments of South Korea and Japan.
The compensation will come from a private fund set up with donations from people in Japan. The fund will have no government ties.
SOUNDBITE: (KOREAN)
" We have been demonstrating for the past five years. But our government has yet officially talked with the Japanese. Why can't our own government take of the issue of comfort women? Instead we have these students and nuns out to demonstrate. We can't help but feel that we are not considered Koreans because President Kim Young- sam has done nothing."
SUPER CAPTION: Shim Mi-Ja, Former Comfort Woman
The women are demanding that the compensation come from official channels set up between the two countries.
They are also demanding that Japan formally apologize for forcing these women into sexual slavery.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
