Thank you to everyone who has signed the petition.  We are now at nearly 2,500 signatures.  Each and every one counts.

Yesterday, Lee Yong-soo held a press conference and urged the South Korean government to resolve the issue under the UN Convention Against Torture (CAT).  Eight months have passed since the February press conference, and the South Korean government has not meaningfully responded, partly on the grounds that Japan will not agree to proceed before the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Unlike an ICJ dispute, however, a complaint under the CAT does not require Japan's consent.  The Committee Against Torture has previously issued observations on Japanese military sexual slavery and the 2015 announcement between South Korea and Japan that was rejected by many survivors.

The CAT complaint would lead to investigation, fact-finding, and recommendations by the Committee Against Torture.  If the matter is not settled by arbitration, South Korea can bring the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The full press conference is here in Korean.  English subtitles and additional materials are forthcoming.  The Hankyoreh and Korea Herald reported on the news in English, as well as KBS News, Kyunghyang Shinmun, Pressian, and other outlets in Korean.

The CAT and ICJ proposals are related and compatible options.  Accordingly, we are maintaining this petition and ask that you please continue sharing!

https://www.change.org/p/japan-is-responsible-for-wwii-military-sexual-slavery