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The document discusses a photograph taken by Yunghi Kim in 1996, depicting an elderly woman who was a 'comfort woman' during World War II. These women, often from impoverished backgrounds, were coerced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army, with estimates of around 200,000 victims. The photo captures the woman's suffering and resilience, using strong lighting and black-and-white imagery to evoke deep emotion and a sense of timelessness.

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17 views2 pages

English Picture

The document discusses a photograph taken by Yunghi Kim in 1996, depicting an elderly woman who was a 'comfort woman' during World War II. These women, often from impoverished backgrounds, were coerced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army, with estimates of around 200,000 victims. The photo captures the woman's suffering and resilience, using strong lighting and black-and-white imagery to evoke deep emotion and a sense of timelessness.

Uploaded by

nhpqsd6bp2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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yunghi kim_ comfort women

This photo was taken in 1996 by the photojournalist Yunghi Kim.

This black-and-white photo shows an elderly woman with a pale face surrounded by black,
highlighting her skin, which looks damaged by life.

This woman was what we call a "comfort woman." This term is also the name of the
exhibition.

During the second world war, South Korea was occupied by the Japanese, and to rest the
troops, the imperial Japanese army created "comfort stations.".

Many girls, like the one in the picture, came from poor families in small villages throughout
Korea. They were promised good jobs doing laundry and cooking for the Japanese Imperial
Army. But when these women, many in their teens, arrived at their destinations, they found
themselves forced to be sex slaves at "comfort stations."

Women were forced to provide 30 to 40 sexual services a day to Japanese soldiers. Most
lost their virginity this way. If they resisted, they were beaten. For the Japanese Army, these
women were considered "war supplies.".

About 200,000 women from Asia are believed to have been forced into sexual slavery.
This photo uses strong light to highlight the wrinkles, a close-up to show the expression up
close, and black and white to give a timeless effect. The emphasis on detail makes the
image deep and intense and conveys deep sadness and melancholy. This intense gaze
expresses suffering, the weight of the past, resilience, and silence.

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