Family of Late Comfort Woman Donates 10 Million Won to Help Sexual Violence Victims

On February 24, 2025, the family of the late 일본군 위안부 (Japanese military comfort woman) victim, 길원옥 (Gil Won-ok), presented a donation of 10 million won to the Incheon City Hall, aimed at assisting victims of sexual violence. The donation ceremony was attended by Gil's daughter-in-law, 조근순 (Cho Geun-soon), her son, 황선희 (Hwang Seon-hee), Incheon Mayor 유정복 (Yoo Jeong-bok), and 김석순 (Kim Seok-soon), the head of the Incheon Sexual Violence Counseling Center.

After the donation, Cho expressed her belief that her mother-in-law would be proud of this act, stating, "I think my mother-in-law would be smiling down and saying, 'Well done.'" She shared that the decision to donate came after discussions with her husband, reflecting on how her mother-in-law dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of comfort women and wanting to help women who have suffered from sexual violence.

Cho emphasized her desire to continue her mother-in-law's legacy of compassion and service, saying, "I wanted to practice the spirit of sharing and serving that my mother-in-law embodied. I hope she is happy in heaven, knowing we are doing good in her name."

The funds will be utilized by the Incheon Sexual Violence Counseling Center to create and operate a 'Mental and Physical Recovery Program Room' where victims can heal in a safe and comfortable environment. Kim Seok-soon announced that the program room will be named 'Gil' in honor of Gil Won-ok, to remember her noble efforts in addressing women's sexual violence issues and to provide courage and hope to victims.

Mayor Yoo remarked that the generous donation from Gil's family would greatly empower sexual violence victims and reaffirmed the city's commitment to respecting the human rights of comfort women and seeking just resolutions to their issues.

Gil Won-ok, who had been actively involved in advocating for the resolution of the Japanese military's sexual slavery issue, passed away at the age of 97 on February 16, 2025, after battling health issues.