A Korean-American organization Monday called on Japan to apologize and take responsibility for atrocities it committed to hundreds of thousands of sex slaves during World War II.
In a statement, the Korean American Voters Council (KAVC) said it "strongly requests the government of Japan to stop denying the truth and to comply with H. Res. 121 and other international calls to formally acknowledge, apologize and accept its historical and legal responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner."
The House unanimously approved the resolution on July 30, 2007, to call on Japan to make an official apology, and to take legal responsibility for the Japanese army's role in enslaving more than 200,000 women, mostly from
Korea and other Asian countries, decades ago.
Historians say more than 200,000 women fell victim to the Imperial Japanese Army, which coaxed or forced young girls to work at frontline brothels.
Similar resolutions were adopted by the Canadian Lower House and the Dutch Parliament in November 2007, and the European Parliament in
December 2007.
"Time is running out for the survivors, as many are passing away," the council said. "These survivors still live with the burden of the shame and pain they have been put through and are waiting patiently for a formal official apology
by the government of Japan."
The council also urged the House of Representatives to "take appropriate actions" toward the Japanese government, saying Japan has not yet satisfied the demands made by the resolution.