The group of victims filed the lawsuit last week, their first formal accusation demanding an apology from the US military, their lawyers told AFP on 9/9/2025.
Historians and activists say tens of thousands of South Korean women worked in state-managed brothels serving US troops during the period from the 1950s to the 1980s. The economy surrounding these brothels, including restaurants, barbershops, and bars, reportedly accounted for about 25% of South Korea's GDP in the 1960s and 1970s.
In 2022, South Korea's Supreme Court ruled that the government had illegally "established, managed, and operated" such brothels for the US military, ordering the government to compensate about 120 plaintiffs.
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A "monkey house," a clinic for prostitutes serving US soldiers decades ago. Photo: AFP |
A "monkey house," a clinic for prostitutes serving US soldiers decades ago. Photo: AFP
The new lawsuit by the 117 South Korean women names the South Korean government as the defendant. Under current law, Seoul must compensate victims of illegal acts committed by US troops while on duty and then seek reimbursement from Washington.
The victims are seeking 10 million won (7,200 USD) each in compensation. "The lawsuit aims to hold both the South Korean government and US military officials accountable for the related illegal acts," said lawyer Ha Ju-hee.
One anonymous plaintiff, now in her sixties, said, "I still can't forget being beaten and slapped by US soldiers for bowing my head while pouring drinks, for not smiling, or for no reason at all." She said she was tricked at the age of 17 into believing she would work as a bartender, but was forced into prostitution and prevented from leaving due to "debt."
"Every night, we were dragged to where the US soldiers were stationed and abused. Every week, we were forced to undergo venereal disease testing. Even the slightest abnormality meant confinement and high doses of penicillin injections, leaving our legs numb," she recalled.
The US has tens of thousands of troops on rotation stationed in South Korea to ensure security. United States Forces Korea (USFK) announced they were aware of the lawsuit but declined to comment "while legal proceedings are underway."
Duc Trung (According to AFP, Reuters, Korea Times)
