Last week’s agreement between South Korea and Japan on compensating survivors of the Comfort Women system has been hailed as a diplomatic triumph, a way to mend Seoul-Tokyo ties while addressing the claims of the surviving victims.

Doubts have since emerged as to whether it will succeed in doing either, however.

In the aftermath of the deal it has become evident that Seoul did not consult with the surviving Comfort Women, who are incensed that the deal declares the issue of their sexual enslavement resolved and does not stipulate Japan’s legal responsibility. U.S. pressure on the South to resolve