Voices of Vietnam Holds Event with Vietnamese-American Leaders in New Orleans

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Voices of Vietnam, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about Vietnamese women who were raped and sexually assaulted by South Korean troops during the Vietnam War, held its first grassroots community event in New Orleans yesterday.

Led by Voices of Vietnam Co-Chairs, Former Congressman Anh "Joseph" Cao, the first Vietnamese-American member of Congress, and Cyndi Nguyen, the Executive Director of VIET New Orleans, the event drew attention to the plight of victims of South Korean sexual assault during the Vietnam War and also served as the worldwide premier for Voices of Vietnam's new documentary film "They Deserve an Apology." The documentary can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9LrCId7Hyc.

Community leaders and the news media joined members of the Vietnamese-American community from all over New Orleans to hear the stories and to call for an apology from President Park of South Korea.

"Hearing these women's' stories is just heartbreaking. They have suffered for far too long and deserve an apology from President Park" said Co-Chair Cyndi Nyugen. "We hope that this event raises awareness of the lifetime of difficulties these women have faced and ultimately brings them some peace and the recognition they deserve from the South Korean government."

Ms. Nguyen also announced that Voices of Vietnam would begin accepting donations to support its ongoing work to support the victims in their families as they rebuild their lives.

Over 31,000 people have signed a Change.org petition initiated by Nguyen Thi Bach Tuyet, one of the women who was raped by a South Korean soldier. 

Neither the United Nations nor South Korean President Park Geun-hye have responded to a letter signed by 10 women victims calling on South Korea to apologize for the systematic rape of Vietnamese women during the War.

If you have any questions about the event, or for any media inquiries, please email us at [email protected].

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SOURCE Voices of Vietnam