UN human rights chief promises support for ′comfort women′ 유엔인권최고대표， 위안부 피해자 면

The United Nations′ human rights chief， currently in Seoul on a three－day visit，... met with three surviving victims of Japan′s wartime sex slavery. And promised continued UN support for the women in resolving the issue. Hwang Sung－hee reports. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra′ad Al Hussein visited the victims of Japan′s wartime sexual enslavement， calling them the most important people to meet in Seoul. ″I cannot think of three more important people to meet in Seoul than these three very courageous， frail and quite old but still very passionate about what they went through， the suffering and caring for others who suffer still in so many other parts of the world.″ With the recent passing of two of the so－called comfort women， only 50 surviving victims registered with the government remain in Korea. For decades， they have been waiting for Japan′s sincere apology and compensation， but time is not on their side. ″My heart is shaking and I′m upset. I don′t know what to do. I must resolve the issue quickly so I will have something to say when I go to heaven.″ .) The UN human rights chief said the voices of these women are the strongest and the most important in resolving the issue. He promised continued support from the United Nations， saying that the UN is consulting with the governments of Korea and Japan. ″My predecessor Navi Pillay spoke loudly about the continued suffering and I have done the same and I will endeavor to continue to advocate on their behalf.″ The meeting is expected to send an indirect message to the Japanese government to swiftly resolve this long－standing， sensitive issue. Hwang Sung－hee， Arirang News.