Tributes Pour in for Gil Won-ok: A Tireless Advocate for Justice

Gil Won-ok, a pivotal figure in advocating for the rights of wartime sex slavery survivors, died at 96, after a life dedicated to seeking justice and acknowledgment from Japanese authorities. Despite her passing, her mission for reparations and a formal apology continues to inspire a new generation.

Gil Won-ok, a Korean survivor of sexual slavery during World War II, passed away at her home in Incheon, South Korea, at the age of 96. Her death, confirmed by South Korean officials, reflects the loss of one of the last voices advocating for justice for the thousands of women exploited as “comfort women.” While the cause of her death remained undisclosed, it was noted that she suffered from Alzheimer’s and various age-associated health concerns in her final years.

Ms. Gil spent her life campaigning for Japan to acknowledge and take responsibility for the suffering inflicted upon her and others during the war. Her public protests, including notable demonstrations outside the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, were emblematic of her unwavering stance against the lack of reparations and formal apologies from the Japanese government. Even in her final days, she maintained that the fight for justice would persist beyond her lifetime, emphasizing that her descendants would continue the struggle.

With the traumatic past recognized by the South Korean government, approximately 240 comfort women have come forward to share their experiences since the 1990s. Currently, only seven survivors remain alive, with an average age nearing 95. Their plight is a poignant reminder of Korea's suffering under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945.

Ms. Gil’s legacy was honored during her funeral earlier this week, with numerous politicians and government officials in attendance, alongside tributes expressing gratitude for her lifelong dedication to advocating for justice. “You will not silence us,” she declared in 2013, asserting that the campaign for recognition and healing will endure, regardless of whether the last survivor perished.