has abstract
| - Washington Coalition for Comfort Women Issues, Inc (WCCW) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that advocates for the rights of wartime victims and their lawful reparation. Their mission is to contribute to the "eradication and prevention of sex crimes against women by promoting public awareness and education". WCCW was established in December 1992 in Washington DC. by Dongwoo Lee Hahm, who retired early from the World Bank to devote full-time to the comfort women cause. It is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization that emphasizes education and research. Since 1992, WCCW has specifically "dedicated itself to being the voice for 'comfort women'". The mission of the WCCW states: Japanese government must clearly acknowledge its responsibility in perpetrating the atrocity against these Comfort Women, give official apology, provide redress from government sources, and open all government records regarding its involvement. Until these steps are taken, WCCW asserts that japan should not be permitted a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. The first academic conference on comfort women issues was convened by Bonnie B.C. Oh and Margaret D. Stetz on September 30, 1996, at Georgetown University. Miki Mutsuko, the widow of Miki Takeo, former prime minister of Japan, and a humanitarian, was the keynote speaker. Miki emphasized the need for Japan to acknowledge the existence of the system and take full responsibility to meet the demands of comfort women and their supporters. There had been several presidents, including Soh Ok-cha and Christine Choi. The current president of the WCCW, Jungsil Lee, takes a leading role in continuing to press the U.S. government and the U.S. Congress to urge the Japanese government to issue a formal apology to former comfort women. As time passes and these victims die, Junsil Lee considers it the responsibility of the WCCW to ensure that the stories of these women are remembered. The WCCW continues to be involved in promoting art exhibitions, seminars, and films related to comfort women. The WCCW also holds an annual essay, research paper, and art competition for high school and college students, providing learning opportunities about comfort women and cash prizes to the winners. (en)
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