Songpa-gu Holds Online Ceremony for 'Girim Day'... Reflecting on the Importance of Peace and Human Rights

2nd Anniversary of Songpa Peace Statue of Girl... Various Events to Reflect on Peace: Online One-Shot Film Festival and Photo Exhibition Held

Songpa Statue of Peace Garden Groundbreaking Ceremony

Photo Exhibition

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) held an online commemorative ceremony at the 'Songpa Peace Statue of a Girl Garden' on August 14th to mark the 'Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery,' reflecting on the preciousness of peace and human rights.

Considering the COVID-19 situation, the ceremony was conducted online via the 'SongpaTV' YouTube channel. Along with the ceremony, a documentary video showing the establishment of the statue and visitors was screened to convey the residents' will to share the painful history and their hope for peace.

The 'Songpa Peace Statue of a Girl Garden' was established in front of the Songpa Book Museum on August 14, 2019, to commemorate the Day of Remembrance. It began with a proposal from students of the history club at Boin High School on the district office website's 'Requests to the Mayor' section, and was completed with donations totaling 100 million won from about 2,800 local organizations and residents.

It is notable as the nation's first garden created with the concept of a memorial garden alongside the statue of the girl.

Especially this year, to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of its establishment, various events were prepared to reflect on the importance of peace and human rights.

From July 15 to August 7, an online video contest titled 'One Cut Online Video Festival' was held with themes of the statue, human rights, and peace. Ten final works were selected through public submissions, and the outstanding works were screened at the online commemorative ceremony to share with residents.

The photo exhibition 'Memory! The Old Future' continues until the 16th. About 40 photos are displayed in the lobby on the first floor of the Songpa Book Museum, including images depicting forced mobilization of labor and materials during the Japanese colonial period and messages from victims urging Japan to provide compensation.

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, “The ‘Songpa Peace Statue of a Girl’ embodies the courage of Songpa residents to set history right and their wish for a bright future,” adding, “Going forward, Songpa-gu will continue to share the meaning of the statue with more people, remember the painful history, and take the lead in protecting peace and human rights.”