This photo shows members of Korean Liaison Office (KLO) who conducted guerilla attacks and espionage operations under the United Nations Command during the Korean War. Courtesy of Capital Mechanized Infantry Division of Korea

By Lee Yeon-woo

Civilian women who operated as espionage agents in North Korea for the South during the 1950-53 Korean War will receive financial compensation for the first time as they have now been recognized for their service, the Ministry of National Defense announced Thursday.

According to the ministry, the Deliberation Commission on Compensation to Persons of Distinguished Service as Irregular Forces confirmed Wednesday the merits of 16 civilian women who operated from when the Republic of Korea was founded in August 1948 until the Korean War Armistice Agreement was signed in July 1953.

Disguised as mothers and wives of evacuee families, those women penetrated into North Korean territory and spied on the North's military units. They were affiliated with units such as the Korean Liaison Office (KLO), which conducted guerilla attacks and espionage under the United Nations Command during the period.

"During the Korean War, a significant number of women were involved in operations of the KLO. However, it was hard to verify their work as they dispersed after the truce agreement. To recognize their merits, we went through multiple stages of verification," Lim Chun-young, president of the commission, said.

This is the first time these women's activities have been recognized since the Act to Compensate Irregular Servicemen during the Korean War was established in April 2021.

Most of the women are now aged over 85, with 13 living members among the 16 women recognized on this occasion.

"We will compensate them in no time considering their old age. We hope the compensation can make them proud and show our honor for them," Lim said.

The commission has confirmed 740 such cases so far, who will be provided with some 7 billion won in financial compensation.

"Now it's our turn to pay back their dedication and hard work during [South] Korea's darkest hour," Lim added.