Born: 1928 (Pyongyang, North Korea)
Biography:
Gil Won-ok (길원옥, born 1928), also known as Grandma Gil, is an activist and former Korean comfort woman who has dedicated her life to demanding redress and an official apology from Japan for the military sexual violence that affected over 200,000 women during World War II. She has played a crucial role in shedding light on the experiences of comfort women and advocating for justice and recognition for their suffering.
Gil Won-ok was born in 1928 in Pyongyang, North Korea. In 1940, at the age of thirteen, she endured a traumatic experience when she boarded a train to a Japanese factory, believing she would find work. However, instead of being taken to a factory, Gil Won-ok was transported to Harbin, Manchuria, and forced into a comfort station in the winter of 1940. For the next five years, she faced repeated sexual assaults by Japanese soldiers, starting from her early teenage years to her late teenage years.
During her time as a victim of military sexual slavery, Gil Won-ok contracted syphilis, leading to tumors in her body and requiring her to undergo four surgeries. To prevent further complications, doctors made the difficult decision to perform a hysterectomy, rendering her sterile. Despite the physical and emotional trauma she endured, Gil Won-ok showed remarkable resilience and determination.
After the end of World War II, Gil Won-ok attempted to return to North Korea, her home. However, she encountered a closed border and was unable to reunite with her family. This forced separation has been a painful reality for Gil Won-ok, as she has not been able to return to her homeland to this day.
In 1998, inspired by the actions of other comfort women, Gil Won-ok made the brave decision to come forward and share her story of the sexual violence forced upon her during World War II. This marked a turning point in her life, as she became an activist demanding justice and an official apology from Japan for the crimes committed against comfort women.
Despite being unable to conceive children of her own due to the damage caused by her experiences, Gil Won-ok opened her heart and adopted a son. He is now a minister, a testament to her resilience and capacity for love.
Currently, Gil Won-ok resides in a home called Our Peaceful House, run by The Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan. There, she lives alongside other comfort women, finding solace, support, and a sense of community.
As an activist, Gil Won-ok has been actively involved in various efforts seeking justice for comfort women. Every Wednesday, she joins the Wednesday Demonstrations, held in front of the Japanese Embassy in Korea since January 8, 1992. These weekly protests serve as a powerful symbol of resistance and a demand for an official apology from Japan.
Gil Won-ok has also taken her advocacy to the international stage. She has traveled around the world, sharing her story and speaking at locations such as the Japanese Women’s University. Through her speeches and engagements, she raises awareness about the plight of comfort women and urges countries and individuals to support their cause.
Gil Won-ok’s resilience, dedication, and unwavering determination make her an inspirational figure in the fight for justice and recognition for comfort women. Her steadfast commitment to seeking an official apology from Japan and her continued activism serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of survivors and their voices in shaping history.