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{{Short description|Korean activist and comfort woman}}
{{family name hatnote|Lee||lang=Korean}}
{{family name hatnote|Lee||lang=Korean}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = <!-- use common name/article title -->
| name = <!-- use common name/article title -->
| image = Lee Yong-soo.png
| image = Lee Yong-soo, 11 August 2018, House of Sharing, Gwangju.jpg
| caption = Portrait of Lee Yong-soo.
| caption = Lee Yong-soo at the [[House of Sharing]], [[Gwangju]] in 2018
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1928|12|13}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1928|12|13}}
| birth_place = [[Daegu]], [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese Korea]]
| birth_place = [[Daegu]], [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese Korea]]
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| notable_works =
| notable_works =
| module = {{Infobox Korean name|child=yes
| module = {{Infobox Korean name|child=yes
| hangul = {{link text|이|용|수}}
| hangul = 이용수
| hanja =
| hanja =
| rr = Yi Yong-su
| rr = I Yongsu
| mr = Yi Yongsu
| mr = I Yongsu
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''Lee Yong-soo''' ([[Korean language|Korean]]: 이용수; born December 13, 1928) is a former [[Comfort women|comfort woman]] from [[South Korea]]. Lee was forced to serve as a sex slave during [[World War II]] with the [[Imperial Japanese Army]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url = http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/04/24/national/korean-former-comfort-woman-u-s-demands-just-one-thing-abe-comes-apology/#.VjZ_OlUVikq|title = Former 'Comfort Woman' in U.S. Demands Just One Thing When Abe Visits: Apology|work = The Japan Times|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> She is one of the youngest comfort women still living.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url = http://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/01/local/me-slaves1|title = House Vote on Sex Slavery Cheered|last = Kang|first = K. Connie|date = 1 August 2007|work = Los Angeles Times|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=이용수 할머니 '위안부 문제 끝까지 일본에게 사과 받겠다'|url=http://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/1VMYUX4N9U/GK0103|date=2019-08-14|website=서울경제|language=ko|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref>
'''Lee Yong-soo''' ([[Korean language|Korean]]: 이용수; born December 13, 1928) is a former [[Comfort women|comfort woman]] from [[South Korea]]. Lee was forced to serve as a comfort woman during [[World War II]] by the [[Imperial Japanese Army]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url = http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/04/24/national/korean-former-comfort-woman-u-s-demands-just-one-thing-abe-comes-apology/#.VjZ_OlUVikq|title = Former 'Comfort Woman' in U.S. Demands Just One Thing When Abe Visits: Apology|work = The Japan Times|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> She is one of the youngest comfort women still living.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-aug-01-me-slaves1-story.html|title = House Vote on Sex Slavery Cheered|last = Kang|first = K. Connie|date = 1 August 2007|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=이용수 할머니 '위안부 문제 끝까지 일본에게 사과 받겠다'|url=http://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/1VMYUX4N9U/GK0103|date=2019-08-14|website=서울경제|language=ko|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref>


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
[[File:Lee Jae-myung, Lee Yong-soo, 11 August 2018, House of Sharing, Gwangju 05.jpg|thumb|[[Lee Jae-myung]] and Lee Yong-soo in 2018.]]
Lee Yong-soo was born in [[Daegu]], South Korea on December 13, 1928.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vday.org/node/1386.html|title=V-Day Brings 'Comfort Women' to the U.S. for Speaking Tour as Part of the 2006 Global V-Day Campaign for Justice|publisher=[[V-Day (movement)|vday.org]]|author=Staff|date=2006-02-14|access-date=2019-11-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vday.org/node/1879.html|title=House Approves 'Comfort Women' Measure|publisher=[[V-Day (movement)|vday.org]]|author=Staff|date=2007-08-02|access-date=2019-11-08}}</ref> Lee was sixteen when she was forced to become a comfort woman.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jul/21/local/me-beliefs21|title = Wartime Victim Makes Heartfelt Plea for Redress|last = Kang|first = K. Connie|date = 21 July 2007|work = Los Angeles Times|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> She was outside near a riverbank, catching snails with her friend Bunsun, when both were captured by a military man.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url = http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3008363|title = Traveling the World to Ensure it Remembers|date = 26 August 2015|work = Korea JoongAng Daily|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> She and her friend were taken by train, and then switched to a boat at [[Anju, South Pyongan|Anju]].<ref name=":3" /> On the boat, which was headed to a [[Kamikaze]] Unit in [[Hsinchu County]], [[Taiwan]], she was [[rape]]d for the first time.<ref name=":3" /> She recalls that on average, she was forced into sexual relations with four to five men a day and did not have any rest even when she was [[Menstrual cycle|menstruating]].<ref name=":3" /> She also says that she "suffered electrical torture, was beaten and was cut by a soldier's knife."<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url = http://www.latimes.com/tn-gnp-former-comfort-woman-visits-bronze-memorial-20150506-story.html|title = Former Comfort Woman Visits Bronze Memorial|last = Mikailian|first = Arin|date = 6 May 2015|work = Los Angeles Times|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> She learned quickly to submit so that she would not be shocked or beaten again.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/70-years-later-a-korean-comfort-woman-demands-apology-from-japan/2015/04/22/d1cf8794-e7ab-11e4-9767-6276fc9b0ada_story.html|title = 70 Years Later, a Korean 'Comfort Woman' Demands Apology from Japan|last = Constable|first = Pamela|date = 22 April 2015|work = The Washington Post|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> Lee says that she never thought to run away because she did not know how to leave the area even if she did escape.<ref name=":6" /> Additionally, she was isolated from the other comfort women in her area.<ref name=":6" /> After the war and her return home, she said that her family no longer recognized her and she did not feel fit to get married.<ref name=":3" /> She was ashamed of what happened to her, and did not realize that it had also happened to so many other women.<ref name=":6" />
Lee Yong-soo was born in [[Daegu]], South Korea on December 13, 1928.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vday.org/node/1386.html|title=V-Day Brings 'Comfort Women' to the U.S. for Speaking Tour as Part of the 2006 Global V-Day Campaign for Justice|publisher=[[V-Day (movement)|vday.org]]|author=Staff|date=2006-02-14|access-date=2019-11-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vday.org/node/1879.html|title=House Approves 'Comfort Women' Measure|publisher=[[V-Day (movement)|vday.org]]|author=Staff|date=2007-08-02|access-date=2019-11-08}}</ref> Lee was sixteen when she was forced to become a comfort woman.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-21-me-beliefs21-story.html|title = Wartime Victim Makes Heartfelt Plea for Redress|last = Kang|first = K. Connie|date = 21 July 2007|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> She was outside near a riverbank, catching snails with her friend Bunsun, when both were captured by a military man.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url = http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3008363|title = Traveling the World to Ensure it Remembers|date = 26 August 2015|work=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]]|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> She and her friend were taken by train, and then switched to a boat at [[Anju, South Pyongan|Anju]].<ref name=":3" /> On the boat, which was headed to a [[Kamikaze]] Unit in [[Hsinchu County]], [[Taiwan]], she was [[rape]]d for the first time.<ref name=":3" /> She recalls that on average, she was forced into sexual relations with four to five men a day and did not have any rest even when she was [[Menstrual cycle|menstruating]].<ref name=":3" /> She also says that she "suffered electrical torture, was beaten and was cut by a soldier's knife."<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url = http://www.latimes.com/tn-gnp-former-comfort-woman-visits-bronze-memorial-20150506-story.html|title = Former Comfort Woman Visits Bronze Memorial|last = Mikailian|first = Arin|date = 6 May 2015|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> She learned quickly to submit so that she would not be shocked or beaten again.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/70-years-later-a-korean-comfort-woman-demands-apology-from-japan/2015/04/22/d1cf8794-e7ab-11e4-9767-6276fc9b0ada_story.html|title = 70 Years Later, a Korean 'Comfort Woman' Demands Apology from Japan|last = Constable|first = Pamela|author-link = Pamela Constable|date = 22 April 2015|newspaper = The Washington Post|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> Lee says that she never thought to run away because she did not know how to leave the area even if she did escape.<ref name=":6" /> Additionally, she was isolated from the other comfort women in her area.<ref name=":6" /> After the war and her return home, she said that her family no longer recognized her and she did not feel fit to get married.<ref name=":3" /> She was ashamed of what happened to her, and did not realize that it had also happened to so many other women.<ref name=":6" />


Lee first came forward to testify about her experience as a comfort woman in June 1992.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|url = http://www.comfort-women.org/doc/article_Uemura%20Takashi.pdf|title = 反論 慰安婦問題「捏造記者」と呼ばれて|last = Yamaguchi|first = Yamaguchi|date = 12 January 2015|journal = The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus|access-date = 1 November 2015|language = ja|trans-title = Labeled the Reporter Who 'Fabricated" the Comfort Woman Issue: A Rebuttal|last2 = Takashi|first2 = Uemura|others = translated by Tomomi Yamaguchi|volume = 13|issue = 1}}</ref> She was influenced by [[Kim Hak-sun|Kim Hak-sun's]] press conference on TV to finally talk to others.<ref name=":1" /> Yong-soo registered with the Korean government as a comfort woman.<ref name=":3" /> She was the twenty-ninth woman to testify about her experiences.<ref name=":1" /> Coming forward gave her life a true purpose: "I thought I was worthless. I didn't talk about it, and nobody asked me. Until the women came out, I did not exist."<ref name=":6" />
Lee first came forward to testify about her experience as a comfort woman in June 1992.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|url = http://www.comfort-women.org/doc/article_Uemura%20Takashi.pdf|title = 反論 慰安婦問題「捏造記者」と呼ばれて|last1 = Yamaguchi|first1 = Yamaguchi|date = 12 January 2015|journal = The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus|access-date = 1 November 2015|language = ja|trans-title = Labeled the Reporter Who 'Fabricated" the Comfort Woman Issue: A Rebuttal|last2 = Takashi|first2 = Uemura|others = translated by Tomomi Yamaguchi|volume = 13|issue = 1|archive-date = 29 September 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170929003226/http://www.comfort-women.org/doc/article_Uemura%20Takashi.pdf|url-status = dead}}</ref> She was influenced by [[Kim Hak-sun|Kim Hak-sun's]] press conference on TV to finally talk to others.<ref name=":1" /> Yong-soo registered with the Korean government as a comfort woman.<ref name=":3" /> She was the twenty-ninth woman to testify about her experiences.<ref name=":1" /> Coming forward gave her life a true purpose: "I thought I was worthless. I didn't talk about it, and nobody asked me. Until the women came out, I did not exist."<ref name=":6" />


In 1996, Lee attended [[Kyungpook National University]] and eventually received her master's degree in 2001.<ref name=":3" />
In 1996, Lee attended [[Kyungpook National University]] and eventually received her master's degree in 2001.<ref name=":3" />
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At the [[Women's International War Crimes Tribunal on Japan's Military Sexual Slavery]] held in [[Tokyo]] in 2000, she testified about what happened to her during World War II, and then later shared her story at the [[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum]].<ref name=":3" />
At the [[Women's International War Crimes Tribunal on Japan's Military Sexual Slavery]] held in [[Tokyo]] in 2000, she testified about what happened to her during World War II, and then later shared her story at the [[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum]].<ref name=":3" />


In 2007, she testified in front of the [[United States]] joint [[United States Congress|Congressional]] session about her experiences during World War II. She said, "I am an honorable daughter of Korea, I am not a comfort woman."<ref name=":0" /> Her experience at the hands of the Japanese Army was described as "traumatic."<ref name=":0" /> After her testimony, the [[Prime Minister of Japan]], [[Shinzō Abe|Shinzo Abe]], came out and denied that Japan was culpable and that a former apology from Japan's cabinet in 1993 was not necessary.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03/05/the-politics-of-apology-for-japans-comfort-women/comment-page-7/?_r=0|title = The Politics of Apology for Japan's 'Comfort Women'|last = Zeller Jr.|first = Tom|date = 5 March 2007|work = The New York Times|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> Nevertheless, the outcome of her testimony (along with the testimony of two other comfort women) led to the [[United States House of Representatives|House]] passing a resolution which asked the Japanese government to apologize formally to former comfort women.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:2:./temp/~c110LHBgii::|title = Bill Text 110th Congress (2007-2008) H.RES.121.EH|date = 2007|access-date = 1 November 2015|website = THOMAS|publisher = The Library of Congress}}</ref> The resolution was passed unanimously.<ref name=":5" />
In 2007, she testified in front of the [[United States]] joint [[United States Congress|Congressional]] session about her experiences during World War II. She said, "I am an honorable daughter of Korea, I am not a comfort woman."<ref name=":0" /> Her experience at the hands of the Japanese Army was described as "traumatic."<ref name=":0" /> After her testimony, the [[Prime Minister of Japan]], [[Shinzō Abe|Shinzo Abe]], came out and denied that Japan was culpable and that a former apology from Japan's cabinet in 1993 was not necessary.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03/05/the-politics-of-apology-for-japans-comfort-women/comment-page-7/?_r=0|title = The Politics of Apology for Japan's 'Comfort Women'|last = Zeller Jr.|first = Tom|date = 5 March 2007|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> Nevertheless, the outcome of her testimony (along with the testimony of two other comfort women) led to the [[United States House of Representatives|House]] passing a resolution which asked the Japanese government to apologize formally to former comfort women.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:2:./temp/~c110LHBgii::|title = Bill Text 110th Congress (2007-2008) H.RES.121.EH|date = 2007|access-date = 1 November 2015|website = THOMAS|publisher = The Library of Congress}}{{Dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The resolution was passed unanimously.<ref name=":5" />


Right-wing elements in the Japanese government have been trying to erase the history of comfort woman from the record. This is what Yong-soo and others are fighting against.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-revisionism-20141212-story.html|title = Japanese Nationalists Attempt to Revise History on 'Comfort Women'|date = 11 December 2014|work = Los Angeles Times|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> In 2014, Lee Yong-soo met with [[Pope Francis]]. As a devout [[Catholicism|Catholic]], she hoped that the Pope could help end their pain.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url = http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/south-korea-sex-slaves-pope-francis-solace-article-1.1906819|title = Former South Korea Sex Slaves Ask Pope Francis for Solace|date = 17 August 2014|work = New York Daily News|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref>
Right-wing elements in the Japanese government have been trying to erase the history of comfort woman from the record. This is what Yong-soo and others are fighting against.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-revisionism-20141212-story.html|title = Japanese Nationalists Attempt to Revise History on 'Comfort Women'|date = 11 December 2014|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref>{{Failed verification|reason=There is no mention of her in the article. Also, revisionism doesn't necessarily mean "denialism" (erase)|date=May 2023}} In 2014, Lee Yong-soo met with [[Pope Francis]]. As a devout [[Catholicism|Catholic]], she hoped that the Pope could help end their pain.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url = http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/south-korea-sex-slaves-pope-francis-solace-article-1.1906819|title = Former South Korea Sex Slaves Ask Pope Francis for Solace|date = 17 August 2014|work = New York Daily News|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref>


In 2015, she attended the South Korean National Assembly's exhibition of art created by former comfort women.<ref name=":3" /> Later, she traveled to [[San Francisco]] to receive a commendation award from city council and also to ask the city to install a memorial to former comfort women.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.koreatimesus.com/korean-former-comfort-woman-calls-for-sf-memorial/|title = Korean Former Comfort Woman Calls for SF Memorial|date = 17 September 2015|work = The Korea Times|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> She was a guest of [[California]] Representative [[Mike Honda]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congressman-uses-japanese-leaders-visit-to-press-for-war-crimes-apology/2015/04/30/dd66ca56-eeb1-11e4-a55f-38924fca94f9_story.html|title = Congressman Uses Japanese Leader's Visit to Press for War-Crimes Apology|last = Kane|first = Paul|date = 30 April 2015|work = The Washington Post|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> Yong-soo also participated in protests in the United States when Prime Minister Abe visited.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://chinawatch.washingtonpost.com/2015/04/abe-avoids-protesters-at-harvard/|title = Abe Avoids Protesters at Harvard|last = Xin|first = Zheng|date = 30 April 2015|work = The Washington Post, China Watch|access-date = 1 November 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004104/http://chinawatch.washingtonpost.com/2015/04/abe-avoids-protesters-at-harvard/|archive-date = 5 March 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref>
In 2015, she attended the South Korean National Assembly's exhibition of art created by former comfort women.<ref name=":3" /> Later, she traveled to [[San Francisco]] to receive a commendation award from city council and also to ask the city to install a memorial to former comfort women.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.koreatimesus.com/korean-former-comfort-woman-calls-for-sf-memorial/|title = Korean Former Comfort Woman Calls for SF Memorial|date = 17 September 2015|work=[[The Korea Times]]|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> She was a guest of [[California]] Representative [[Mike Honda]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congressman-uses-japanese-leaders-visit-to-press-for-war-crimes-apology/2015/04/30/dd66ca56-eeb1-11e4-a55f-38924fca94f9_story.html|title = Congressman Uses Japanese Leader's Visit to Press for War-Crimes Apology|last = Kane|first = Paul|date = 30 April 2015|newspaper = The Washington Post|access-date = 1 November 2015}}</ref> Yong-soo also participated in protests in the United States when Prime Minister Abe visited.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://chinawatch.washingtonpost.com/2015/04/abe-avoids-protesters-at-harvard/|title = Abe Avoids Protesters at Harvard|last = Xin|first = Zheng|date = 30 April 2015|work = The Washington Post, China Watch|access-date = 1 November 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004104/http://chinawatch.washingtonpost.com/2015/04/abe-avoids-protesters-at-harvard/|archive-date = 5 March 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref>


Lee Yong-soo continues to participate in weekly demonstrations held on Wednesdays in front of the Japanese Embassy. She always wears a traditional Korean [[hanbok]], including the dongjeong, [[beoseon]] and [[gomusin]] so that everyone who sees her knows that "I am a ''[[Joseon]]'' daughter. I am an honorable Korean." She says, "I don't want to advertise that I am a comfort women victim. Rather, I want to be a problem solver that can ensure that there will be no other victims of war such as us."<ref name=":3" /> She says that she will not give up until Prime Minister Abe acknowledges the truth of her and other women's testimonies.<ref name=":4" />
Lee Yong-soo continues to participate in weekly demonstrations held on Wednesdays in front of the Japanese Embassy. She always wears a traditional Korean [[hanbok]], including the dongjeong, [[beoseon]] and [[gomusin]] so that everyone who sees her knows that "I am a ''[[Joseon]]'' daughter. I am an honorable Korean." She says, "I don't want to advertise that I am a comfort women victim. Rather, I want to be a problem solver that can ensure that there will be no other victims of war such as us."<ref name=":3" /> She says that she will not give up until Prime Minister Abe acknowledges the truth of her and other women's testimonies.<ref name=":4" />


In May 2020, Lee accused the [[The Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan|Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance]] and [[Yoon Mee-hyang]], the former head, of misusing funds and embezzlement. As a result, Lee said she would no longer attend the [[Wednesday demonstration|Wednesday demonstrations]] and called for Yoon Mee-hyang resign from becoming a member of the [[National Assembly (South Korea)|National Assembly]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shin |first1=Hyonhee |title=Victims absent from South Korea's 'comfort women' rally amid graft allegations over ex-leader |url=https://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKBN22W112 |access-date=30 May 2020 |work=Reuters |date=20 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref> However, on May 27, Lee made a surprise appearance at one of the Wednesday demonstrations in Daegu. <ref>{{cite news |title='Comfort women' advocate makes a surprise visit to Daegu rally |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/05/28/socialAffairs/comfort-women-Wednesday-rally-Lee-Yongsoo/20200528183700190.html |access-date=30 May 2020 |work=koreajoongangdaily.joins.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=이용수 할머니 대구 수요집회 깜짝 등장…“같이 투쟁하자” |url=http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/946847.html |access-date=30 May 2020 |work=www.hani.co.kr |date=28 May 2020 |language=ko}}</ref>
In May 2020, Lee accused the [[The Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan|Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance]] and [[Yoon Mee-hyang]], the former head, of misusing funds and embezzlement. As a result, Lee said she would no longer attend the [[Wednesday demonstration]]s and called for Yoon Mee-hyang resign from becoming a member of the [[National Assembly (South Korea)|National Assembly]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shin |first1=Hyonhee |title=Victims absent from South Korea's 'comfort women' rally amid graft allegations over ex-leader |url=https://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKBN22W112 |access-date=30 May 2020 |work=Reuters |date=20 May 2020 |language=en}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> However, on May 27, Lee made a surprise appearance at one of the Wednesday demonstrations in Daegu.<ref>{{cite news |title='Comfort women' advocate makes a surprise visit to Daegu rally |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/05/28/socialAffairs/comfort-women-Wednesday-rally-Lee-Yongsoo/20200528183700190.html |access-date=30 May 2020 |work=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=이용수 할머니 대구 수요집회 깜짝 등장…"같이 투쟁하자" |url=http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/946847.html |access-date=30 May 2020 |work=[[The Hankyoreh]] |date=28 May 2020 |language=ko}}</ref>


In March 3 2021, Lee Yong-soo met Foreign Minister [[Chung Eui-yong]]. She asked the Korean government to raise the Japanese military sexual slavery issue at the [[International Court of Justice]] (ICJ). While referring to Harvard law professor [[J. Mark Ramseyer]], who said that Korean women voluntarily chose to be comfort women in his paper "Contracting for sex in the Pacific War," she said "that professor should be dragged to the ICJ too."<ref>{{Cite news|last=kim|first=sarah|date=2021-03-03|title='Comfort woman' asks top envoy to take case to ICJ|work=[[Korea Joongang Daily]]|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/03/03/national/diplomacy/comfort-women-wartime-sexual-slavery-KoreaJapan/20210303190900377.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=BINKLEY|first=COLLIN|date=2021-03-08|title=Harvard professor ignites uproar over 'comfort women' claims|work=[[ABC news]]|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/harvard-professor-ignites-uproar-comfort-women-claims-76316365|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-28}}</ref>
In March 3, 2021, Lee Yong-soo met Foreign Minister [[Chung Eui-yong]]. She asked the Korean government to raise the Japanese military sexual slavery issue at the [[International Court of Justice]] (ICJ). While referring to Harvard law professor [[J. Mark Ramseyer]], who said that Korean women voluntarily chose to be comfort women in his paper "[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0144818820301848 Contracting for sex in the Pacific War]," she said "that professor should be dragged to the ICJ too."<ref>{{Cite news|last=kim|first=sarah|date=2021-03-03|title='Comfort woman' asks top envoy to take case to ICJ|work=[[Korea Joongang Daily]]|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/03/03/national/diplomacy/comfort-women-wartime-sexual-slavery-KoreaJapan/20210303190900377.html|access-date=2021-03-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=BINKLEY|first=COLLIN|date=2021-03-08|title=Harvard professor ignites uproar over 'comfort women' claims|work=ABC news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/harvard-professor-ignites-uproar-comfort-women-claims-76316365|access-date=2021-03-28}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:1928 births]]
[[Category:1928 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Comfort women]]
[[Category:Comfort women]]
[[Category:South Korean activists]]
[[Category:South Korean women activists]]
[[Category:South Korean women activists]]
[[Category:South Korean women's rights activists]]
[[Category:South Korean women's rights activists]]

Latest revision as of 10:38, 8 January 2025

In this Korean name, the family name is Lee.
Lee Yong-soo
Lee Yong-soo at the House of Sharing, Gwangju in 2018
Born (1928-12-13) December 13, 1928 (age 96)
Daegu, Japanese Korea
NationalitySouth Korean
OccupationActivist
Korean name
Hangul
이용수
Revised RomanizationI Yongsu
McCune–ReischauerI Yongsu

Lee Yong-soo (Korean: 이용수; born December 13, 1928) is a former comfort woman from South Korea. Lee was forced to serve as a comfort woman during World War II by the Imperial Japanese Army.[1] She is one of the youngest comfort women still living.[2][3]

Biography

[edit]
Lee Jae-myung and Lee Yong-soo in 2018.

Lee Yong-soo was born in Daegu, South Korea on December 13, 1928.[4][5] Lee was sixteen when she was forced to become a comfort woman.[6] She was outside near a riverbank, catching snails with her friend Bunsun, when both were captured by a military man.[7] She and her friend were taken by train, and then switched to a boat at Anju.[7] On the boat, which was headed to a Kamikaze Unit in Hsinchu County, Taiwan, she was raped for the first time.[7] She recalls that on average, she was forced into sexual relations with four to five men a day and did not have any rest even when she was menstruating.[7] She also says that she "suffered electrical torture, was beaten and was cut by a soldier's knife."[8] She learned quickly to submit so that she would not be shocked or beaten again.[9] Lee says that she never thought to run away because she did not know how to leave the area even if she did escape.[9] Additionally, she was isolated from the other comfort women in her area.[9] After the war and her return home, she said that her family no longer recognized her and she did not feel fit to get married.[7] She was ashamed of what happened to her, and did not realize that it had also happened to so many other women.[9]

Lee first came forward to testify about her experience as a comfort woman in June 1992.[10] She was influenced by Kim Hak-sun's press conference on TV to finally talk to others.[10] Yong-soo registered with the Korean government as a comfort woman.[7] She was the twenty-ninth woman to testify about her experiences.[10] Coming forward gave her life a true purpose: "I thought I was worthless. I didn't talk about it, and nobody asked me. Until the women came out, I did not exist."[9]

In 1996, Lee attended Kyungpook National University and eventually received her master's degree in 2001.[7]

At the Women's International War Crimes Tribunal on Japan's Military Sexual Slavery held in Tokyo in 2000, she testified about what happened to her during World War II, and then later shared her story at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.[7]

In 2007, she testified in front of the United States joint Congressional session about her experiences during World War II. She said, "I am an honorable daughter of Korea, I am not a comfort woman."[1] Her experience at the hands of the Japanese Army was described as "traumatic."[1] After her testimony, the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, came out and denied that Japan was culpable and that a former apology from Japan's cabinet in 1993 was not necessary.[11] Nevertheless, the outcome of her testimony (along with the testimony of two other comfort women) led to the House passing a resolution which asked the Japanese government to apologize formally to former comfort women.[10][12] The resolution was passed unanimously.[2]

Right-wing elements in the Japanese government have been trying to erase the history of comfort woman from the record. This is what Yong-soo and others are fighting against.[13][failed verification] In 2014, Lee Yong-soo met with Pope Francis. As a devout Catholic, she hoped that the Pope could help end their pain.[14]

In 2015, she attended the South Korean National Assembly's exhibition of art created by former comfort women.[7] Later, she traveled to San Francisco to receive a commendation award from city council and also to ask the city to install a memorial to former comfort women.[15] She was a guest of California Representative Mike Honda in 2015.[16] Yong-soo also participated in protests in the United States when Prime Minister Abe visited.[9][17]

Lee Yong-soo continues to participate in weekly demonstrations held on Wednesdays in front of the Japanese Embassy. She always wears a traditional Korean hanbok, including the dongjeong, beoseon and gomusin so that everyone who sees her knows that "I am a Joseon daughter. I am an honorable Korean." She says, "I don't want to advertise that I am a comfort women victim. Rather, I want to be a problem solver that can ensure that there will be no other victims of war such as us."[7] She says that she will not give up until Prime Minister Abe acknowledges the truth of her and other women's testimonies.[8]

In May 2020, Lee accused the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance and Yoon Mee-hyang, the former head, of misusing funds and embezzlement. As a result, Lee said she would no longer attend the Wednesday demonstrations and called for Yoon Mee-hyang resign from becoming a member of the National Assembly.[18] However, on May 27, Lee made a surprise appearance at one of the Wednesday demonstrations in Daegu.[19][20]

In March 3, 2021, Lee Yong-soo met Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong. She asked the Korean government to raise the Japanese military sexual slavery issue at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). While referring to Harvard law professor J. Mark Ramseyer, who said that Korean women voluntarily chose to be comfort women in his paper "Contracting for sex in the Pacific War," she said "that professor should be dragged to the ICJ too."[21][22]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Former 'Comfort Woman' in U.S. Demands Just One Thing When Abe Visits: Apology". The Japan Times. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  2. ^ a b Kang, K. Connie (1 August 2007). "House Vote on Sex Slavery Cheered". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  3. ^ "이용수 할머니 '위안부 문제 끝까지 일본에게 사과 받겠다'". 서울경제 (in Korean). 2019-08-14. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  4. ^ Staff (2006-02-14). "V-Day Brings 'Comfort Women' to the U.S. for Speaking Tour as Part of the 2006 Global V-Day Campaign for Justice". vday.org. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  5. ^ Staff (2007-08-02). "House Approves 'Comfort Women' Measure". vday.org. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  6. ^ Kang, K. Connie (21 July 2007). "Wartime Victim Makes Heartfelt Plea for Redress". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Traveling the World to Ensure it Remembers". Korea JoongAng Daily. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  8. ^ a b Mikailian, Arin (6 May 2015). "Former Comfort Woman Visits Bronze Memorial". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Constable, Pamela (22 April 2015). "70 Years Later, a Korean 'Comfort Woman' Demands Apology from Japan". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  10. ^ a b c d Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi; Takashi, Uemura (12 January 2015). "反論 慰安婦問題「捏造記者」と呼ばれて" [Labeled the Reporter Who 'Fabricated" the Comfort Woman Issue: A Rebuttal] (PDF). The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus (in Japanese). 13 (1). translated by Tomomi Yamaguchi. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  11. ^ Zeller Jr., Tom (5 March 2007). "The Politics of Apology for Japan's 'Comfort Women'". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  12. ^ "Bill Text 110th Congress (2007-2008) H.RES.121.EH". THOMAS. The Library of Congress. 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  13. ^ "Japanese Nationalists Attempt to Revise History on 'Comfort Women'". Los Angeles Times. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  14. ^ "Former South Korea Sex Slaves Ask Pope Francis for Solace". New York Daily News. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  15. ^ "Korean Former Comfort Woman Calls for SF Memorial". The Korea Times. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  16. ^ Kane, Paul (30 April 2015). "Congressman Uses Japanese Leader's Visit to Press for War-Crimes Apology". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  17. ^ Xin, Zheng (30 April 2015). "Abe Avoids Protesters at Harvard". The Washington Post, China Watch. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  18. ^ Shin, Hyonhee (20 May 2020). "Victims absent from South Korea's 'comfort women' rally amid graft allegations over ex-leader". Reuters. Retrieved 30 May 2020.[dead link‍]
  19. ^ "'Comfort women' advocate makes a surprise visit to Daegu rally". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  20. ^ "이용수 할머니 대구 수요집회 깜짝 등장…"같이 투쟁하자"". The Hankyoreh (in Korean). 28 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  21. ^ kim, sarah (2021-03-03). "'Comfort woman' asks top envoy to take case to ICJ". Korea Joongang Daily. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  22. ^ BINKLEY, COLLIN (2021-03-08). "Harvard professor ignites uproar over 'comfort women' claims". ABC news. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
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