Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun: "Korea-Japan Comfort Women Agreement Must Be Completely Scrapped"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun said, "The Korea-Japan comfort women agreement reached in December 2015 must be completely scrapped."

At the "10th World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery" event held on the 14th at the outdoor theater of the Gyeonggi Art Center, Mayor Lee stated, "What the grandmothers who were victims of Japanese military sexual slavery and the people wanted was a sincere apology from the Japanese government," and emphasized, "Because Japan is trying to resolve this with money instead of apologizing, the people are angry."

He continued, "If Japan does not sincerely apologize, the victimized grandmothers and the people will not be able to forgive the Japanese government," and urged, "Let all citizens unite and demand that the Japanese government offer a sincere apology."

He also said, "Japanese military sexual slavery is a painful part of our history, but it must be continually remembered so that such things do not happen again. Seeing so many young people participate in today's commemorative event makes me believe that the future of our country is bright."

The event was organized by "Suwon Peace Butterfly," a civic organization in the Suwon area, and was attended by Mayor Lee Jae-jun and Suwon City Council Chairman Kim Ki-jung, among others. The event featured a photo exhibition of the late Grandma An Jeom-soon (용담), and a musical performance by the performance group "Block."

"Day of Remembrance for Victims of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery (August 14)" is a national commemorative day established to honor victims of Japanese military sexual slavery. August 14 is the day when Kim Hak-sun (1924-1997), a victim of Japanese military sexual slavery, first testified to her suffering. On August 14, 1991, Grandma Kim became the first surviving comfort woman to publicly testify about her victimization.

At the "11th Asia Solidarity Conference for Resolution of the Japanese Military 'Comfort Women' Issue" held in Taiwan in December 2012, August 14 was proclaimed as "World Day of Remembrance for Comfort Women" annually.