South Korea Marks 'Comfort Women' Day Without Barricades, Demands Justice

South Korea observed the 14th World Day of Remembrance for Japanese Military Sexual Slavery on Sunday, holding a rally and protest near the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. Participants gathered at the "Statue of Peace," a symbol of the victims, to call for justice, peace, and human rights.

This year's commemoration held particular significance as it was the first time in six years the event proceeded without the barricades that had surrounded the statue since 2020 due to concerns about vandalism by far-right groups. The removal of the barricades in May, following a legal revision that penalizes the spread of false information about the victims, was seen as a step towards reclaiming public space and acknowledging the historical truth.

Activists and survivors voiced their demands for an official apology and reparations from the Japanese government. They also extended their message to encompass a broader call for a world free from war, hatred, and discrimination. The event, organized by the Justice for Memory Foundation (Jeongui Giyeok Yeon Dae), involved 222 organizations from 10 countries, highlighting the international solidarity for the cause.

During the rally, Han Kyung-hee, chairperson of the Justice for Memory Foundation, emphasized the progress made, including the revised victim protection law and the return of the Statue of Peace. However, she stressed that the fight for justice is ongoing. Testimonials from survivors, including Park Pil-geun and Lee Yong-soo, were shared via video, expressing gratitude to the attendees. A Palestinian activist, Sale Alantisi, who recently received refugee status in South Korea, also spoke, advocating for a peace built on dignity, freedom, and rights, not on the silence of the oppressed.