Historians and rights activists have revealed that tens of thousands of South Korean women worked in government-sanctioned brothels from the 1950s to the 1980s, serving U.S. troops stationed in the country.

The arrangement, they say, was quietly supported by authorities during the Cold War era as part of efforts to strengthen ties with Washington and secure U.S. military protection against North Korea.

Archival records and testimonies indicate that women were recruited into so-called “camp-town” brothels, located near American bases, where their activities were monitored by officials.

The women were subjected to regular health checks and, in some cases, forced medical treatment to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Researchers say many of the women came from poor backgrounds and were treated as tools of diplomacy, sometimes described as “patriots” for earning foreign currency through their work. Activists argue the system exposed them to exploitation, stigma, and long-term psychological trauma.

While South Korea has never fully acknowledged the brothels as a state-controlled institution, survivors have mounted lawsuits in recent years, demanding recognition and compensation.

Courts in Seoul have since ruled that the government bears responsibility for the harm, and some compensation has been awarded.

Advocates stress that revisiting this history is essential for accountability and reconciliation, particularly as survivors continue to push for official apologies and broader support.