Sexual slavery victim in China moved to Seoul for medical treatment

A Korean victim of sexual slavery by Japanese troops during World War II residing in China was moved to Seoul for medical treatment, officials said Sunday.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said 88-year-old Ha Sang-sook, the only Korean sexual slavery victim living in Wuhan, China, arrived at Chung-Ang University Medical Center in Seoul to treat her injured lungs.

In early February, she broke a rib after she fell down the stairs from the second floor, leading to lung inflammation and rendering her unconsciousness. 

A Korean medical team was dispatched to China earlier this month to check her health condition and review the possibilities of bringing her to Seoul for long-term medical treatment.

While she gradually recovered consciousness, she is still in a serious state, the medical staff said.

Upon the medical team’s approval, Ha was moved to Seoul with her 63-year-old stepdaughter and granddaughter.

At the age of 17 in 1944, Ha was taken to China by Japanese authorities and forced into sexual enslavement. Despite Korea’s liberation in 1945, she was unable to return to her home country and sustained her life as a factory worker in Wuhan.

She later married a Chinese man who already had three daughters, but declined to become naturalized as a Chinese citizen, despite her stateless status.

Although Ha recovered her Korean citizenship in 1999 and finally returned to Korea in 2003, she went back to China after 2 1/2 years upon the persuasion of her youngest stepdaughter. She also had difficulties in adjusting to her new life in Korea without any acquaintances here, the ministry said.

Her medical trip was led and sponsored by both the public and private sectors.

Korean Air offered a medium-size airplane to ensure enough space for Ha’s sickbed. Chinese authorities also allowed Ha’s ambulance to skip the check-in procedures for prompt transportation.

Ha will immediately receive a medical check-up to find out whether surgery is necessary, the Seoul authorities said.

The Korean government has provided a monthly stipend of 1.2 million won ($1,040) for sexual slavery victims since 1993.

After Ha’s case came to light, authorities and a local nonprofit organization have covered all her medical expenses since the injury. The victim is also not subject to the Chinese government’s medical benefits, due to her nationality.

The ministry said it would support her permanent residence here, if she wishes, and cover all medical expenses.

Ha has reportedly told her family consistently that she would like to spend the rest of her life in her home country.

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)