New Yorkers - come join us in New York for a political education event to learn about the devastating human costs of US imperialism, the sexual exploitation and coercion of Korean camptown women, and the ongoing lawsuit brought by Korean camptown women against the US military.

The US military has over 70 military bases in the Republic of Korea, including its largest overseas military base Camp Humphreys, and each of these bases spawns its own camptown economy to support the US military personnel stationed there. In order to boost “morale” of occupying soldiers, the US military colluded with the South Korean government to traffick thousands of young women and girls to “service” American soldiers stationed in South Korea. Much like the Colonial Japanese “comfort” system, many of these young women and girls were manipulated, trafficked, or economically coerced through debt bondage into military prostitution.

Now, 117 of the Korean camptown survivors are filing a historic lawsuit against the US military in an ongoing struggle for justice and reparations. This lawsuit is an important milestone in recognizing the far reaching harm of US imperialism and its material impact on the local populations it claims to “protect”.

Our event will open with an interactive exhibit with a miniature recreation of Dongducheon, highlighting its surroundings such as Camp Casey, clubs for servicemen, military bride school, and the “Monkey House” where Korean camptown women were forcibly sterilized. Starting at 1:30pm, our program includes political education and firsthand reportbacks from on-the-ground activists and supporters.

We will hear from NYC-based activist Elizabeth Oh and ROK-based activist Choi Hee Shin, as well as Mira Ko, the director of Saeumteo (새움터), an organization established in 1996 working to resolve issues affecting women who were exploited in prostitution around U.S. military bases in Korea. We will also hear from a survivor herself who will share her story.

Hope to see you all there. US OUT OF KOREA! US OUT OF EVERYWHERE!

Please note that this venue is not wheelchair accessible. If you have questions or concerns about accessibility, please reach out to us at nodutdol@nodutdol.org.

Content Warning (CW): This event includes discussion of sexual violence, sexual assault, rape, coercion, prostitution, human trafficking, state violence, and related trauma. Participants may also encounter discussion of legal cases, survivor testimony, and systemic abuse.

Speakers:

Elizabeth Oh is a community organizer who has led climate, anti-displacement and immigrant rights’ campaigns. She recently conducted research on the preservation/demolition struggle over the “Monkey House” in Dongducheon, South Korea, which will be published in the International Journal of Korean History.

Mira Ko is the director of Saeumteo (새움터), an organization established in 1996 working to resolve issues affecting women who were exploited in prostitution around U.S. military bases in Korea. She currently provides support for women directly involved in the lawsuit against the US military.