[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] Grandmother Lee Yong-soo, a victim of the Japanese military sexual slavery, criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol's Liberation Day congratulatory speech, saying, "There was not a single word about history and the comfort women issue."
On the 15th, Grandmother Lee stated through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Referral Promotion Committee on the Japanese Military Comfort Women Issue, "No matter how much Japan distorts history and tramples on our honor, is appeasing Japan more important?"
She continued, "Is that respecting freedom, human rights, and the rule of law?" and emphasized, "Shouldn't Japan's reflection and apology come first? I sincerely hope this generation will not become disgraceful ancestors once again."
Furthermore, she requested President Yoon to refer the comfort women issue to the United Nations Committee Against Torture.
Grandmother Lee appealed, "That is the universal value of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law you mentioned today," adding, "That is the only way to awaken the truth to shameless Japan and to create future reconciliation and coexistence."
Earlier, President Yoon mentioned in his 77th Liberation Day congratulatory speech, "We will inherit the Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi joint declaration, which presented a comprehensive future vision for Korea-Japan relations, and quickly restore and develop Korea-Japan relations."
The Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi joint declaration is the "21st Century New Korea-Japan Partnership Joint Declaration" announced in 1998 by former President Kim Dae-jung and former Japanese Prime Minister Obuchi Keizo. At that time, the two leaders agreed that the two countries would face the past and open the future together. The declaration is significant as it was the first official diplomatic document in Korea-Japan history to explicitly state Japan's reflection and apology for past issues.
President Yoon defined Japan as "a subject that had to break free from political domination to regain and protect our freedom in the past, but now a neighbor with whom we must join forces to face challenges threatening the freedom of global citizens."
Regarding the resolution of past issues, he said, "When we move toward the future and our mission of the times based on universal values, past issues can also be resolved."
He also emphasized the importance of cooperation in various fields, saying, "The governments and peoples of both countries must respect each other and contribute together to the peace and prosperity of the international community through broad cooperation in economy, security, society, and culture."
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