Overview

• Lawyers say 117 survivors filed the case last week seeking 10 million won (about US$7,200) per person and a formal apology.
• The filing marks the first suit to formally accuse the U.S. military and seeks to hold it jointly liable alongside Seoul.
• The suit names the South Korean government as defendant because domestic law requires Seoul to pay victims first and then seek reimbursement from Washington.
• United States Forces Korea said it is aware of the reports and will not comment during ongoing proceedings, adding it does not condone violations of South Korean law.
• The action follows a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that found the South Korean state illegally established and ran brothels for U.S. troops, as plaintiffs recount deception as teenagers, abuse, and forced disease testing.