Comedian Yoo Jae-suk donated 40 million won ($36,000) to the House of Sharing, a community for women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during Japan’s occupation of Korea in the early part of the 20th century.

(OSEN)

Although tens of thousands of Korean women, as well as those of Chinese descent and some Westerners, had been forced to serve as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers, the Japanese government has so far failed to acknowledge its part in the atrocity.

House of Sharing chief Ahn Shin-kwon on Monday revealed that Yoo had donated 40 million won -- 20 million won for use in building a memorial hall for the victims and 20 million won for their welfare.

According to Ahn, the latest donation was made on June 2, and pushed up Yoo’s overall donations to the cause to 60 million won.

Yoo has been an active supporter of the House of Sharing since last year when he chose to promote the organization’s cause through the long-running entertainment show “Infinite Challenge.”

The program has also been supporting the House of Sharing, donating 25 million won raised from record sales last year.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)