Kil Won-ok, a victim of the Japanese military's wartime sexual slavery, passed away on the 16th at the age of 97.

At the 1383rd regular Wednesday protest for resolving the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery held in front of the former Japanese embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, in 2019, Gil Won-ok grandmother raises a slogan urging the Japanese government to apologize. /Courtesy of News1

Shin Young-sook, the acting Minister of Gender Equality and Family, conveyed the news of Kil's passing, stating, "Kil Won-ok was someone who actively worked to raise awareness about the fact of being a victim of the Japanese military's wartime sexual slavery both domestically and internationally."

She added, "It is very heartbreaking to say goodbye to yet another victim of the Japanese military's wartime sexual slavery," and expressed, "I hope she finds peace, having endured many hardships in her lifetime."

With Kil's passing, the number of surviving victims of the Japanese military's wartime sexual slavery has decreased to seven. A total of 240 individuals are registered with the government as victims of the Japanese military's wartime sexual slavery, with 233 having passed away. By age group, there are two individuals aged 90 to 95 and five aged 96 and above. The average age is 95.7 years.

The acting Minister noted, "The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will carefully look into supporting the victims of the Japanese military's wartime sexual slavery so that they can spend their remaining years comfortably, while continuing efforts to restore their honor and dignity."

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