Quote:Dozens of South Korean women forced into sex work for American soldiers stationed in the country have filed a historic lawsuit accusing the U.S. military of playing a systematic role in their abuse.

Known as the “Camptown women”, they claim they were subjected to human rights abuses, forced into regular STD testing, held in isolation, and sometimes subjected to violent treatment at these state-sanctioned brothels.

The lawsuit, filed by more than 100 women, according to AFP, demands a formal apology and financial compensation, while aiming to hold the U.S. military accountable for its role in this state-sponsored system, which local officials and the military allegedly treated as a way to support the economy and protect troops from disease.

The case follows a 2022 ruling in which South Korea’s Supreme Court ordered the government to compensate the women for encouraging prostitution for U.S. military soldiers. The ruling held the government responsible for “justifying and encouraging” prostitution in camp towns to sustain South Korea’s military alliance with the U.S. and attract American dollars.