A group of former sex workers from now-defunct brothels around American military bases and other civic groups hold a press conference outside the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's office in central Seoul, Wednesday, to call for an investigation into state-sponsored human rights abuses against the former sex workers. Yonhap
A group of former sex workers from now-defunct brothels around American military bases called on the state truth panel Wednesday to investigate state-sponsored human rights abuses against them.
The group, joined by women's rights and other civic groups, urged the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate, saying the government encouraged prostitution through such brothels and violated their rights.
The victims have accused the government of abetting these practices by systematically designating such areas, allowing the establishments to operate, which they claim enabled prostitution.
In a press conference, the groups said some of the victims who did not have health certificates were detained and forcibly underwent examinations and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.
