The comfort women during the World War II were never recognized as sexual slaves. This will finally, for the first time, prove that to be held in forced prostitution is indeed a case of enslavement. While Thursday's verdict won't legally help past victims of sexual slavery, it is expected to give some measure of relief to Foca's victims. Witness A.S., who still takes sedatives to help her deal with the trauma, told judges that just testifying about what happened to her made her feel better. She has never even been able to discuss with her mother the details of what happened to her.
Defense lawyers say nothing has been proven and that their clients are innocent.
Prosecutors called those alibis lies. 2001 Time Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Sign up now for TIME's WorldWatch e-mail newsletter.