National Solidarity against Sexual Exploitation of Women - March Activities Update
Did you enjoy the 41st Korean Women’s Rally on March 7?
NSASEW ran a booth and had the chance to connect with many citizens. Our new book, Eradicating Prostitution, sold out completely in the morning.
Thanks to everyone who stood with us for a gender-equal society and a world free from prostitution. it was a truly energizing day for our activists. We look forward to meeting you again next year.
On March 6, a National Assembly forum titled “Breaking the Silence, Demanding Accountability: The Meaning and Key Issues of the Lawsuit on Sexual Exploitation by U.S. Forces in Korea” was held at Seminar Room 3 of the National Assembly. The event was co-hosted by the Joint Committee for Fact-Finding on Sexual Exploitation by U.S. Forces in Korea, along with Members of the National Assembly Sohn Sol, Jang Cheol-min, Lim Mi-ae, Jeon Jin-sook, and Lee Ju-hee.
Around 20 plaintiffs attended the forum in person, and two survivors testified about their experiences, calling for accountability and an official apology from both the Korean government and U.S. Forces in Korea. The presentations and discussions that followed exposed the long-standing, systematic nature of state violence and sexual exploitation carried out within the camptown system, and emphasized that both the Korean government and U.S. Forces in Korea must be held responsible.
Now in the later stages of their lives, elderly survivors of the U.S. military “comfort women” system have come forward not only as witnesses to history, but as agents of their own lives, seeking full recognition of the harm they suffered and the restoration of their dignity. Not only the Korean government, which managed and controlled the camptown system, but also U.S. Forces in Korea—as direct perpetrators and those bearing substantial responsibility—must issue a formal apology and take concrete steps toward reparations.
The very next day, on March 7, ahead of International Women’s Day, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Won Min-kyung issued an official apology, stating: “As the minister responsible for gender equality and women’s rights, I sincerely apologize to the victims for the state’s violations of the human rights of camptown women.” This marked the first official acknowledgment and apology by the Korean government for its human rights violations against camptown women.
An apology is not the end, but a new beginning. As the secretariat of the Joint Committee for Fact-Finding on Sexual Exploitation by U.S. Forces in Korea, NSASEW will continue its efforts to realize historical justice.
In Commemoration of the 21st Anniversary of the Mia-ri Fire Tragedy
At 12:30 p.m. on March 27, 2005, a fire broke out at a brothel in the Hawolgok-dong in Seoul—an area commonly referred to as “Mia-ri.” Five women in prostitution were killed, and one woman was seriously injured. All of the victims were in their mid-20s to early 30s.
This tragedy occurred just six months after the enforcement of the Anti-Prostitution Act. On March 26, the day before the fire, the police had conducted a crackdown on the establishment, yet its operations were not suspended. Even after being investigated, the owner and staff continued business until dawn. Despite repeated violations, the establishment remained in operation, revealing the lack of effectiveness of enforcement measures.
In particular, one of the women who died had sought help twice before the incident. On March 25, she called the police emergency line, stating, “The owner is forcing me into prostitution. Please come quickly.” However, the police left the scene, claiming they found no evidence of wrongdoing. The following day, she sent another message: “I am afraid. I cannot call because of the owner. Please dispatch officers urgently.” Yet even after responding, the police did not provide protection and instead returned her to the establishment.
The police later claimed that the women were not confined. However, survivor testimonies told a different story. The building where the fire occurred was structurally difficult to escape. The entrance was controlled by a metal door, and when the intercom alarm sounded, a manager would appear to restrict movement. Emergency exits and fire safety facilities were inadequate, and the corridors were narrow and complex. Most windows were blocked, some sealed with wooden boards. The path to the veranda was obstructed with objects, and iron bars were installed on the windows of the third and fourth floors. In reality, the women were unable to leave the building.
This was not a simple fire. It was a tragedy produced by ineffective law enforcement, ignored pleas for rescue, and the systematic neglect of women’s human rights. Even after the fire, responsibility was never clearly established.
The Mia-ri red-light district is now disappearing due to redevelopment. However, the disappearance of a space does not erase the history or structures of exploitation. Without adequate support measures, women who are displaced are pushed into other forms of sexual exploitation.
Now, we must ask: Why were those calls for help not answered? Why has no one been held accountable? And what must change?
We must remember this tragedy. And we must break the cycle of exploitation against women to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.
March 27, 2026
Women’s Human Rights Center “Boda”
Affiliated with the National Solidarity Against Sexual Exploitation of Women (NSASEW)
National Solidarity against Sexual Exploitation of Women - March Activities Update
Did you enjoy the 41st Korean Women’s Rally on March 7?
NSASEW ran a booth and had the chance to connect with many citizens. Our new book, Eradicating Prostitution, sold out completely in the morning.
Thanks to everyone who stood with us for a gender-equal society and a world free from prostitution. it was a truly energizing day for our activists. We look forward to meeting you again next year.
On March 6, a National Assembly forum titled “Breaking the Silence, Demanding Accountability: The Meaning and Key Issues of the Lawsuit on Sexual Exploitation by U.S. Forces in Korea” was held at Seminar Room 3 of the National Assembly. The event was co-hosted by the Joint Committee for Fact-Finding on Sexual Exploitation by U.S. Forces in Korea, along with Members of the National Assembly Sohn Sol, Jang Cheol-min, Lim Mi-ae, Jeon Jin-sook, and Lee Ju-hee.
Around 20 plaintiffs attended the forum in person, and two survivors testified about their experiences, calling for accountability and an official apology from both the Korean government and U.S. Forces in Korea. The presentations and discussions that followed exposed the long-standing, systematic nature of state violence and sexual exploitation carried out within the camptown system, and emphasized that both the Korean government and U.S. Forces in Korea must be held responsible.
Now in the later stages of their lives, elderly survivors of the U.S. military “comfort women” system have come forward not only as witnesses to history, but as agents of their own lives, seeking full recognition of the harm they suffered and the restoration of their dignity. Not only the Korean government, which managed and controlled the camptown system, but also U.S. Forces in Korea—as direct perpetrators and those bearing substantial responsibility—must issue a formal apology and take concrete steps toward reparations.
The very next day, on March 7, ahead of International Women’s Day, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Won Min-kyung issued an official apology, stating: “As the minister responsible for gender equality and women’s rights, I sincerely apologize to the victims for the state’s violations of the human rights of camptown women.” This marked the first official acknowledgment and apology by the Korean government for its human rights violations against camptown women.
An apology is not the end, but a new beginning. As the secretariat of the Joint Committee for Fact-Finding on Sexual Exploitation by U.S. Forces in Korea, NSASEW will continue its efforts to realize historical justice.
In Commemoration of the 21st Anniversary of the Mia-ri Fire Tragedy
At 12:30 p.m. on March 27, 2005, a fire broke out at a brothel in the Hawolgok-dong in Seoul—an area commonly referred to as “Mia-ri.” Five women in prostitution were killed, and one woman was seriously injured. All of the victims were in their mid-20s to early 30s.
This tragedy occurred just six months after the enforcement of the Anti-Prostitution Act. On March 26, the day before the fire, the police had conducted a crackdown on the establishment, yet its operations were not suspended. Even after being investigated, the owner and staff continued business until dawn. Despite repeated violations, the establishment remained in operation, revealing the lack of effectiveness of enforcement measures.
In particular, one of the women who died had sought help twice before the incident. On March 25, she called the police emergency line, stating, “The owner is forcing me into prostitution. Please come quickly.” However, the police left the scene, claiming they found no evidence of wrongdoing. The following day, she sent another message: “I am afraid. I cannot call because of the owner. Please dispatch officers urgently.” Yet even after responding, the police did not provide protection and instead returned her to the establishment.
The police later claimed that the women were not confined. However, survivor testimonies told a different story. The building where the fire occurred was structurally difficult to escape. The entrance was controlled by a metal door, and when the intercom alarm sounded, a manager would appear to restrict movement. Emergency exits and fire safety facilities were inadequate, and the corridors were narrow and complex. Most windows were blocked, some sealed with wooden boards. The path to the veranda was obstructed with objects, and iron bars were installed on the windows of the third and fourth floors. In reality, the women were unable to leave the building.
This was not a simple fire. It was a tragedy produced by ineffective law enforcement, ignored pleas for rescue, and the systematic neglect of women’s human rights. Even after the fire, responsibility was never clearly established.
The Mia-ri red-light district is now disappearing due to redevelopment. However, the disappearance of a space does not erase the history or structures of exploitation. Without adequate support measures, women who are displaced are pushed into other forms of sexual exploitation.
Now, we must ask: Why were those calls for help not answered? Why has no one been held accountable? And what must change?
We must remember this tragedy. And we must break the cycle of exploitation against women to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.
March 27, 2026
Women’s Human Rights Center “Boda”
Affiliated with the National Solidarity Against Sexual Exploitation of Women (NSASEW)