N. Korea raps Seoul for paying money to 'comfort women'

Asian Political News, April 27, 1998

TOKYO, April 24 Kyodo

A North Korean broadcast Thursday criticized South Korea's decision to grant money to South Korean women forced to provide sex for the Japanese military during World war II, Japan's Radiopress news agency said Friday.

The Radio Pyongyang report, monitored by Radiopress in Tokyo, called the decision ''a submissive act that was meant to please the Japanese government.''

The South Korean cabinet Tuesday decided to grant 38 million won (27,400 dollars) to each of the victims, euphemistically referred to as ''comfort women.'' Seoul also said it will not seek compensation from Japan but added it wants Tokyo to make a heartfelt apology and repent for the sex slavery.