This paper analyzes the subjectification process of Lee Yong-soo, a victim of the Japanese military “comfort women” system, focusing on her personal, national, and human rights narratives. It critically examines the lack of respect for the subjectivity and self-determination of victims during the development of the movement, using the framework of FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent). Lee Yong-soo initially occupied a passive position as a victim but transformed into an active agent through her testimony activities. She resisted oppressive historical discourses, positioned herself at the center of the movement, and extended the issue beyond “a matter of the past” to a realm of ethical practice for the present and future. From the perspective of FPIC, the Japanese military “comfort women” movement shows aspects where victims’ free will and prior consent were not adequately reflected. Both the Korean Council (formerly the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan) and the Korean government unilaterally determined the movement’s direction and methods, without fully respecting the voices of individual victims. Despite these structural limitations, Lee Yong-soo actively expressed her voice through independent activities, contributing to reframing the issue as a universal human rights matter beyond the confines of national grievances. By maintaining a critical distance from the Korean Council, she exemplified the importance of a victim-centered approach and the respect for self-determination. In conclusion, while the Japanese military “comfort women” movement successfully garnered international sympathy and achieved signifi cant results, it also revealed limitations in fully incorporating the rights and agency of the victims. Therefore, future efforts to address similar is sues must prioritize victim-centered approaches rooted in the principles of FPIC.