On January 26, 2026, we hosted “Women and War: History of U.S. Militarism and Camptowns in Korea,” a webinar exploring the history of camptowns, human rights abuses against Korean women, and how Korean women have organized to fight for justice.
Studies have long shown that in war and militarism, women are disproportionately harmed and sustain severe human rights abuses. For decades in South Korea, military camptowns surrounding bases have been the site of harm and human rights abuses against Korean women. In 2022, the South Korean Supreme Court found that sex trafficking and illegal prostitution economies existed at U.S. military camptowns from at least 1957 to 2008, and held the Korean government liable for operating and encouraging such prostitution to sustain the South Korea-U.S. military alliance. In 2025, Korean organizers filed a new lawsuit building on that ruling. The 117 plaintiffs are suing the South Korean government for gender-based human rights abuses inflicted by U.S. forces stationed in Korea (U.S.F.K.). This is yet another chapter in the long history of the disproportionate impact and harm sustained by women in Korea as a result of U.S. militarism. We invited South Korean organizer Ko Mira, director of Sae-oom-teo and longtime advocate for women trapped in the militarized sex trade in South Korea, and human rights lawyer Ha Ju Hee to speak at our webinar on these historic developments alongside WCDMZ Board Chair and race, gender, and diaspora scholar Ji-Yeon Yuh, who moderated the discussion.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Veterans for Peace President Susan Schnall, and International Women’s Network Against Militarism founding member Margo Okazawa-Rey gave powerful remarks in solidarity, connecting militarized violence against women and the devastating cost of U.S. forever wars from Korea to the Philippines, Palestine, Okinawa, Guam, U.S., and more. Our speakers highlighted the shared struggles of decades of women-led organizing for justice, redress, and the truth about militarism and sexual violence.
Panelists shared background history of how U.S. military camptowns developed in South Korea, as well as the subsequent system of sex trafficking and trade of Korean women and girls established by the U.S. military with support from the South Korean government post-World War 2. Ko and Ha also shared updates to the current lawsuit and discussed the extraordinary, decades-long efforts of survivors in fighting for truth and redress. Read excerpts from our speakers below:
“I am in awe of the bravery of the amazing women in Korea who are standing up for the truth and pursuing justice to hold the U.S. military accountable for these gender-based crimes. Our country is addicted to war, and we know that war and militarism leads to human rights abuses that disproportionately harm women and girls. I stand with survivors of sexual violence from the United States to Korea, and I am with you in your fight for truth and justice.” – U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI)
“As members of the International Women’s Network Against Militarism, we honor and respect our Korean halmoni and demand that they receive their due. We also stand firmly to support all efforts to end militarized prostitution and violence against women in the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Okinawa, Guam, and wherever else it exists.” – Margo Okazawa-Rey, International Women’s Network Against Militarism Founding Member
“By bringing to light these human rights abuses from the darkness of history, you are not only fighting for full justice but also educating other Korean women and the general public about one of the many terrible effects of U.S. militarism and U.S. military bases. We wish you further success in your courageous struggle.” – Susan Schnall, Veterans For Peace National President
“We hope this process will provide ample opportunity to listen to the testimonies of the women who were forced into prostitution by the U.S. military. Unveiling the historical reality of the U.S. military’s actions in the base towns is not only a way to redress the harm suffered by these women, but also a way to expose how the military structurally exploits women and how a powerful nation treats the sovereignty and human rights of another country.” – Ha Ju Hee, human rights attorney (translated from Korean)
“Generations of women are being sacrificed to this war. It is long past time for us to put an end to the War and to the accompanying suffering and violence. Understanding camptowns and the militarized sex trade, and understanding why the survivors of this violent system have turned to the legal system to seek accountability is a crucial component of revealing past and current structures of militarism as we work together to build peace.” – Ji-Yeon Yuh, WCDMZ Board Chair and race, gender, and diaspora scholar
Community members also shared heartfelt reflections on the impact of our gathering:
“WCDMZ’s webinar was equal parts inspiring and harrowing: inspiring in its calls to action, and harrowing in its unapologetic indictment of the decades of sexual violence and human rights abuses committed by the U.S. against Korean women. Nothing will ever be enough to truly rectify the trauma endured by these women. But listening to and honoring their demands is the least the U.S. owes, and a necessary step toward accountability and justice. I call on all those in the diaspora to stand in solidarity with survivors and aid in their ongoing reclamation of their stories, dignity, and healing.” – Michelle Mijung Kim, writer and producer
“As a veteran who was stationed in Korea during the time these human rights violations were occurring, I was aware of some of the ‘bar’ culture and STD monitoring done in the military base camptowns. WCDMZ’s webinar further opened my eyes to the extent of the oppression and racism evident in these practices, and this knowledge was so important to hear as someone based in the United States. I hope that fellow veterans and all people in the United States join me in committing to support their fight to secure proper justice and reparations.” – Ellen Barfield, Veterans For Peace
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