There’s a proverb in Korea: sharing your sorrows cuts them half. In the hills outside of Seoul, Korea there is a home that some elderly women share. They are women who were commandeered during World War II by the Japanese military, to serve as sex slaves. The soldiers called them comfort women. The women in the Korean Sharing House share their past, their grief, and their anger. Although private citizens in Japan have offered them funds, what the women want is an official apology from the government and reparations. To date, the Japanese government has refused them. Veteran producer Judith Kampfner visited the women. They told her their terrible stories but also shared a powerful sense of love and humor and above all a determination for justice. Korean Sharing House was the recipient of Outstanding Radio Feature by the Newswomen’s Club of New York and Outstanding Radio Documentary from the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (the “Gracies”).

The Soundprint documentary series features the best work of top radio producers. The award-winning documentaries are renowned for drawing the listener into the story with compelling interviews, authentic voices and rich sound. From memoirs to science, health and popular culture, Soundprint creates a powerful experience the listener will not soon forget. Korean Sharing House was produced in collaboration with WNYC and Radio Netherlands.

Soundprint Executive Producer: Moira Rankin
Technical Director: Anna Maria de Freitas
Audio Engineer: Jared Weissbrot
Associate Producer: Katie Gott