Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae attends comfort women memorial, calls for international solidarity

Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae stressed the importance of remembering the pain and courage of victims of Japanese wartime sexual slavery, advocating for their legacy to be carried forward through peace and human rights. Speaking at the '2026 Day of Remembrance for Victims of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery' ceremony at Nanum House in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, on August 8, Choo expressed a sense of guilt and regret.

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When I visit Nanum House, I always feel guilty and regretful. Their last wish was likely for the nation to acknowledge, even a little, their desire to voice their experiences with dignity.

"When I visit Nanum House, I always feel guilty and regretful," Choo said. "Their last wish was likely for the nation to acknowledge, even a little, their desire to voice their experiences with dignity." She recalled an instance when a comfort women statue in Berlin faced removal due to Japanese pressure. Choo visited Germany to explain the statue's significance to the chairperson of the German Federal Parliament's Committee on Family, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth.

"At the time, the committee chair said, 'Germany will take the lead in announcing that sexual violence in war must never happen again globally,'" Choo recounted. "I felt firsthand that our efforts were amplifying our voices." She urged for continued international solidarity, stating, "Our goal is solidarity. If the state cannot step forward properly, we must continue to raise our voices through international civil solidarity." Choo expressed hope that attendees would be motivated to make these calls for solidarity even louder.

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At the time, the committee chair said, 'Germany will take the lead in announcing that sexual violence in war must never happen again globally.' I felt firsthand that our efforts were amplifying our voices.

The ceremony also featured the unveiling of a bust honoring the late victim Kang Il-chul, who passed away on March 28. Attendees reflected on her life's work and paid their respects with floral tributes and a moment of silence. Born in 1928, Kang Il-chul was forcibly mobilized to a Japanese military comfort station in Heilongjiang Province, China, at age 17 in 1944, where she suffered abuse. After returning to Korea, she actively participated in weekly protests in Korea and Asia and conferences for solidarity, working to inform the public about the truth of Japanese military sexual slavery and the importance of women's rights in wartime.

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Our goal is solidarity. If the state cannot step forward properly, we must continue to raise our voices through international civil solidarity. Choo expressed hope that attendees would be motivated to make these calls for solidarity even louder.