South Korean Women Sue US Military Over Abuse in Brothels

South Korean Women Sue US Military in a historic lawsuit, alleging abuse and forced prostitution during decades of US troop deployment in South Korea

South Korean Women Sue US Military in a landmark legal battle, accusing Washington of abuse and forced prostitution during the decades-long presence of US troops in South Korea.

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On Tuesday, lawyers representing 117 women announced they had filed a historic lawsuit demanding an official apology and compensation from the United States military.

The plaintiffs, all victims of military brothel systems dating back to the 1950s, are seeking ₩10 million ($7,200) each in damages.

This is the first time the US military has been officially named in such a case, despite long-standing allegations and prior rulings implicating the South Korean government.

In 2022, South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled that the government had illegally established, managed, and operated state-sanctioned brothels near US military bases, ordering compensation to over 100 women.

“These women were not just exploited; they were institutionalized into a system of abuse endorsed by two allied powers,” said Ha Ju-hee, a lawyer for the plaintiffs.

While Japan’s wartime “comfort women” have received international attention and support, the women who serviced US troops in South Korea have lived in relative obscurity—often silenced by the stigma and geopolitics surrounding the US–South Korea alliance.

Historians estimate that tens of thousands of South Korean women were involved in the base-town brothel economy, which reportedly accounted for 25% of the nation’s GDP in the 1960s and 70s.

One survivor, now in her 60s, recalled being tricked into the trade at age 17, thinking she was taking a job as a bartender.

Instead, she was forced into sex work and told she owed debts she could never repay.

“We were dragged every night to US soldiers and sexually abused. The penicillin shots were so harsh I couldn’t walk,” she said in a statement.

The suit names the South Korean government as the legal defendant, due to jurisdictional laws requiring Seoul to compensate victims of unlawful acts by foreign troops, and then pursue reimbursement from Washington.

Women’s rights groups backing the lawsuit argue that both governments turned a blind eye, prioritizing military strategy over basic human rights.

The United States Forces Korea (USFK) responded cautiously, saying they are “aware of the reports” but will not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.

“We do not condone any behavior that violates Republic of Korea laws,” the USFK said in a statement.

The lawsuit not only seeks justice for survivors but also confronts decades of impunity surrounding the treatment of women in military contexts.

Legal experts say the case could test the boundaries of accountability between allies.

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With 28,500 US troops still stationed in South Korea, the outcome could have lasting implications on future conduct, victim redress, and how military history is confronted in diplomatic relations.