Will Berlin's 'Statue of Peace' Disappear? Berlin Mayor Mentions Change to Japanese Foreign Minister

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The mayor of Berlin, Germany, met with the Japanese Foreign Minister and hinted at the possibility of removing the Statue of Peace, saying "change is important."

The 'Statue of Peace' erected in Berlin, Germany.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

On the 19th, Yonhap News reported that a South Korean Foreign Ministry official stated, "It is not desirable for the governments of Korea and Japan to intervene in activities carried out at the private level." He added, "The installation of overseas Statues of Peace has been promoted as a voluntary movement by the local community and civil society for the purpose of memorializing and educating about the universal human rights violation of wartime sexual violence."

This was a response to the Berlin city government's press release on the 16th (local time), which reported that Mayor Kai Wegner, after meeting with Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko in Tokyo, said, "It is important that we create change," and proposed a solution to the Statue of Peace issue. Mayor Wegner stated, "I support monuments opposing violence against women, but there should no longer be unilateral expressions."

The Japanese government has long argued for the removal of Statues of Peace worldwide, claiming they represent South Korea's "unilateral stance." The Berlin Statue of Peace was ordered to be removed by the Mitte District Office shortly after its installation in October 2020, but the removal was suspended due to an injunction filed by the civic group Korea Council. The Korea Council interpreted Mayor Wegner's mention of "change" as an intention to remove the statue and protested, saying, "The Berlin city government is succumbing to pressure from the Japanese government," and added, "We will also raise issues regarding the pressure exerted by the Japanese government on the Mitte District and Berlin city."

Furthermore, the Korea Council emphasized regarding the claim that the Statue of Peace is a "unilateral expression," stating, "The Statue of Peace is already a universal monument opposing sexual violence in conflict zones." They also announced plans to invite civil society groups to the Statue of Peace on the 19th of next month, the "International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict," to hold an overnight discussion.