A U.S. congressman urged Japan on Tuesday to resolve the grievances of Korean women who were forced into sexual slavery for Japanese soldiers during World War II, saying the issue is "solely in the hands" of the Japanese government.
  

Rep. Mike Kelly made the remark during a lecture at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, a private think tank in Seoul, where he spoke about the South Korea-U.S. alliance and other regional issues.
  

Kelly currently serves as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Korea.
  

"It's my hope that we will soon realize closer and more consolidated ties between Korea and Japan, which is critical to America's national security interest," he said. "But in order to achieve this, Japan must act first and squarely address the lingering issue of the terrible injustice committed against the comfort women."
  

More than 200,000 women, mostly Koreans, were forced to work at Japanese military brothels during World War II, according to historians.
  

South Korea has demanded Japan offer a sincere apology and provide proper compensation to the Korean victims, but Tokyo insists the issue was settled in a package deal under the 1965 treaty that normalized bilateral ties.
  

Japan ruled the Korean Peninsula as a colony from 1910-45.
  

"We need healing, reconciliation and dignity restored to the survivors," Kelly said. "It's solely in the hands of the Japanese government's leadership to address and resolve the comfort women issue once and for all." (Yonhap)