[Column] Justice Network After Grandmother's Departure: 'Remaining Tasks'

Lee Na-young, Chairperson of the Justice Memory Solidarity, is bowing in greeting at the regular Wednesday demonstration held on the 10th in front of the Embassy of Japan in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to resolve the issue of Japanese military comfort women victims. Next to her, there is a framed photo and a bouquet of flowers commemorating Son, the director of the Justice Solidarity Mapo-gu shelter "Our House of Peace." Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] Grandmothers are leaving the Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeondae). On the morning of the 11th, Gil Won-ok (92), a victim of the Japanese military sexual slavery who had been residing at the shelter "Our House of Peace (Mapo Shelter)" operated by Jeonguiyeondae in Mapo-gu, Seoul, left the shelter. Grandma Gil was the only victim of the Japanese military sexual slavery living in the Mapo shelter. She had lived there with the late Grandma Kim Bok-dong and others. It is known that her adopted son, Pastor Hwang (61), expressed his intention to personally take care of her and took her in.

Grandma Gil's departure clearly reflects Jeonguiyeondae's desperate situation. Amid growing criticism over allegations of accounting fraud, the extreme choice made by the late Director Son of the Mapo shelter deeply wounded the hearts of activists who have devoted themselves to the comfort women issue. It seems that the bridge with Grandma Lee Yong-soo (92), once a comrade in the struggle, has now become difficult to cross. With weakened ties to the grandmothers, Jeonguiyeondae must now contemplate its survival. The reflection must begin with questioning whether a comfort women movement without victims is even possible.

What is concerning is the growing "victim mentality" within Jeonguiyeondae during the three-day funeral for the late Director Son. During the funeral period, civic group members including those from Jeonguiyeondae intensified their anger toward the media and prosecutors. Loud shouting and curses were incessant around the funeral hall. While their anger and sense of victimization are somewhat understandable, there is also suspicion that they might be blaming external factors alone for the root causes of the situation. There is too little time to be caught up in emotional reactions. Immediate efforts to review internal organizational discipline, such as ensuring accounting transparency, and to redefine the direction of the comfort women movement are urgently needed.

It is somewhat fortunate that Jeonguiyeondae has also expressed a willingness to reform. On the 3rd, at the 1442nd Wednesday Demonstration, Lee Na-young, Chairperson of Jeonguiyeondae, stated, "We will boldly reform the past shortcomings and immaturity while firmly preserving the initial spirit of the movement." She also said, "We are sincerely cooperating with the prosecution's investigation and calmly reviewing the transparency and professionalism that the public expects from the organization." The facts regarding Jeonguiyeondae's accounting issues will be revealed through the prosecution's investigation. Until then, patience is needed to calmly observe and wait for what reform measures Jeonguiyeondae itself will prepare.

This is the minimum respect that society can show to the grandmothers who had to endure the painful history of war and colonial rule with their whole bodies, and to the activists who comforted their trauma by their side. Furthermore, the progressive steps Jeonguiyeondae will take in the future will be the final duty to the people who have silently supported the comfort women movement.