Governor Nam Gyeong-pil: "Japan Must Address Comfort Women Issue with Sincerity"

Governor Nam Gyeong-pil of Gyeonggi Province called for a forward-looking approach by the Japanese government to resolve the issue of Japanese military comfort women on the occasion of the 96th anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement.

During a commemorative ceremony held at 10 a.m. on March 1st at the Gyeonggi Small and Medium Business Comprehensive Support Center, Governor Nam delivered an address read by Park Su-young, Gyeonggi Province's first vice-governor, stating, "I recently met with Japanese Prime Minister Abe and urged a forward-looking approach to the comfort women issue," and emphasized, "I urge the Japanese government once again to address this issue with sincere commitment based on correct historical awareness."

Governor Nam introduced his attendance at a comfort women memorial stone dedication ceremony held at the Fairfax County Government Center in Virginia, USA last year, and emphasized that time is running out for the comfort women survivors.

"Only fifty-five surviving comfort women remain. With an average age of 89 years, the remaining time is not much," Governor Nam said, calling for prompt resolution.

He also offered sharp criticism of Japan, which has recently shown conservative tendencies.

"Growing doubts emerge from Asian nations regarding Japan's actions under the guise of 'proactive pacifism,'" Governor Nam stated. "If Japan truly wishes to become a leader in the world, it must earn the trust of neighboring countries and the international community through genuine apologies, forgiveness, and accountability."

He emphasized that this year, marking the 70th anniversary of liberation and the 50th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic normalization, is significant not only for bilateral relations but also for the future of the Korean Peninsula, and pledged his own role in restoring relations between the two countries.

Governor Nam said, "The two countries of Korea and Japan are destined to cooperate for the prosperity of Northeast Asia," and added, "I will continue to persuade and urge Japan's awakening with greater perseverance."

Concluding his remarks, Governor Nam stated, "The spirit of March 1st has given us strength and courage whenever crises befell our history," and said, "It is time for Gyeonggi Province, the birthplace of the March 1st Movement, to become a growth engine for the future of the Republic of Korea. Let us once again place the Republic of Korea at the center of the world with the spirit of the March 1st Movement that moved the world."

Meanwhile, approximately 750 people attended the ceremony, including patriots, members of the Korea Independence Movement Participants Association, and heads of related government agencies and organizations.

The province awarded the Order of National Foundation (Patriot Class) to two independence activists, the late Kim Yeon-bang and the late Cho Ki-hwa, the National Foundation Medal to their bereaved families, and commendations for exemplary national protection services to seven members of the Korea Independence Movement Participants Association, including Eom Nam-ik from the Goyang branch.

Gyeonggi Province has a total of 1,665 members of the Korea Independence Movement Participants Association, including 16 independence activists and 1,649 bereaved family members.