South Korean Ex- Prostitutes Face Eviction at US Base

The fate of more than 70 ageing women, who live in a filthy area near the U.S Army garrison in Pyeongtaek, hangs in balance. The women once worked as prostitutes for American soldiers in the camptown situated close to Camp Humphreys, a United States military base in South Korea, reports the Associated Press.

The women, who are too poor to go anywhere else, are now being coerced to leave the Anjeong-ri neighborhood by the landlords of the area who are keen to take advantage of the  rising land prices. Bad days for the camp town began when US and South Korea agreed in 2004 to move the Yongsan US base in Seoul to Pyeongtaek, which is situated 70 kilometers from the capital. The deadline for the relocation was set for 2013. However, it is now been expected to be completed by 2016.

The shifting of the base will result in the need for more homes and businesses that gratify the needs of the large number of people who will arrrive along with the new base. A hapy situation for any investor.

The women are being pressurized to move out by the landlords who want to make a profit on the land.

"They also increased the month's rent four times from 50,000 won ($50) to 200,000 won ($200)," said Woo Soon-duk, director of the Sunlit Sisters' Center, a local non-governmental organization dedicated to the women, reports AP.

"My landlord wants me to leave, but my legs hurt, I can't walk, and South Korean real estate is too expensive," said Cho Myung-ja, 75, a former prostitute.

Struggling, with poverty, disease and shame, the women do not get any support from the government also.

However, a big contrast exists between the camptown women and a group of Korean women forced into prostitution by the Japanese army during World War II.  The women forced in to prostitution by the Japanese army receive government aid under a special law. Rallies were held outside the Japanese Embassy demanding compensation from Japan., reports AP.

According to two officials of Pyeongtaek city, the camptown women do get social welfare, but there is no law for special funds to assist them.

While government sources declined to comment on the issue till the court takes a decision, the US military also did not respond to questions about the women. It said that it has zero tolerance for prostitution.

Apathy by the government coupled with poverty, the women feel trapped.

Jang Young-mi, 67, was orphaned as a girl and worked in a military camptown for nearly twenty years. She lives with three dogs. 

"Maybe because I lived for so long with American soldiers, I can't fit in with Koreans." "Why did my life have to turn out this way?", Jang Said, reports AP.