Investigation marks first application of revised law, on punishing those disparaging victims of Japan's wartime sex slavery
A man in his 20s has been referred to prosecutors for allegedly spreading false information online about victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery, in the first such case under a new law, police said Wednesday.
The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency said the man was referred without detention on suspicion of posting 211 messages on online forums in July that disparaged the victims and distorted accounts of their suffering.
He reportedly told police he had posted the material to get attention.
Police said this was the first case in which a suspect had been apprehended under a provision that took effect June 11, introducing criminal penalties for spreading false information about the victims, euphemistically known as “comfort women.”
Under the revised law, those who publicly spread false information about the victims with the intent to defame them can face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won ($37,000). Exceptions apply to material intended for artistic, academic, research or news reporting purposes.
The maximum fine is five times the 10 million won prescribed for defamation involving false statements under the Criminal Act, while the maximum prison term remains the same.
“Comfort women” is a euphemism for women and girls forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military before and during World War II. Victims came from Korea and other parts of Asia.
A total of 240 victims registered with the South Korean government. As of March, five remained alive.
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com
