SEOUL: South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding a solution to the issue of so-called former comfort women that is acceptable to them.

Comfort women were forced into prostitution for Japanese soldiers before and during World War II.

The most important principle of resolving the issue is victim centrism, Moon said in a video message for an annual ceremony for former comfort women.

He said the administration will do its best to restore the dignity and honor of the women. 

Moon expressed respect for former comfort women for continuing to present new values to society as human rights activists.

The administration will step up support to surviving comfort women, research on the issue and education, he said.

The president’s message is apparently designed to maintain support from former comfort women at a time when the campaign for them has been under scrutiny due to a fraud scandal involving a support group.

The ceremony, the third of its kind, was held in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. Moon did not attend the government-sponsored event for the second consecutive year.

JIJI Press