Kim Bok-dong, Who Campaigned Against Sex Slavery, Dies At 92

Kim Bok-dong, who was known as one of the comfort women in South Korea, has passed away. She was 92. Kim was among many young women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military. Her death brought the number of surviving victims of sex slavery to 23.

Kim died at the Yonsei Severance Hospital in Seoul on Monday (Jan 28), as stated by the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance, an organization that represents the victims. She was suffering from cancer, The New York Times reported.

President Moon Jae paid his last respects to the former sex slavery victim at her memorial altar. Before the visit, he posted on Facebook and promised that he will "never forget to set history right" and will fulfill his duty to the 23 sex slavery survivors.

Many people expressed their condolences and called for an apology from Japan for atonement.

Yoon Mi-Hyang, president of the Korean Council, who was by Kim's side when she died, recalled that she had expressed her wrath towards the Japanese government till her last breath. She consistently demanded an apology from Japan for its wartime atrocities.

Kim was on a mission to raise awareness about the Japanese military indulging in sex slavery. She campaigned to end violence against women around the world and eradicate it completely from the root.

Kim was also a generous donor. She donated funds to help people affected by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and subsequent tsunami. She also established scholarships for six ethnic Korean students in Japan.

Despite facing unimaginable atrocities, Kim Bok-Dong did not want to be portrayed as a victim. She will remain a symbol for many to take inspiration.

Sonakshi Goel is an intern at SheThePeople.TV

Read Also: Amul Girl Cries Over the Atrocities Against Indian Women