S. Korea to review deal over sex slaves

SEOUL - South Korea on Monday began an official review of a controversial agreement with Japan over World War II sex slaves, formally reopening an issue that still strains ties between them.

Mainstream historians said up to 200,000 women, mostly from the Korea Peninsula but also other parts of Asia including China, were forced to work in Japanese military brothels during World War II.

The plight of the "comfort women" is a hugely emotional issue that has marred relations between the Asian neighbors for decades. For many South Koreans, it epitomizes the abuses of Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule over the peninsula.