Berlin Mayor Meets Japanese Foreign Minister: "Change is Important"
Professor Seokyeongdeok from Sungshin Women's University sent a protest email regarding the possibility of dismantling the 'Statue of Peace' suggested by the Mayor of Berlin, Germany, during a meeting with the Japanese Foreign Minister.
On the 22nd, Professor Seokyeongdeok stated on his Facebook, "The Berlin Statue of Peace was ordered to be removed by the Mitte District Office shortly after its installation in October 2020, but the order is currently on hold due to a provisional injunction filed by civic groups," and pointed out, "The Japanese government has continuously insisted on dismantling the statues worldwide, claiming they represent only Korea's unilateral position."
Professor Seokyeongdeok's remarks targeted Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner's suggestion of dismantling the statue. Earlier, on the 16th (local time), the Berlin city government released a statement reporting that Mayor Wegner met with Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko in Tokyo and said, "It is important that we make changes," proposing a solution to the statue issue. Mayor Wegner is also known to have expressed support for monuments opposing violence against women but stated that there should be no more one-sided expressions. Mayor Wegner visited Japan to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Berlin and Tokyo.
In response, Professor Seokyeongdeok sent a protest email to Mayor Wegner, stating, "You are being deceived by Japan's unreasonable claims." He attached historical materials related to the Japanese military 'comfort women' and emphasized, "I hope you look at history correctly and make a wise decision that will not bring shame to future generations."
Meanwhile, domestic civic groups have also expressed strong regret following Mayor Wegner's suggestion to dismantle the 'Statue of Peace.' On the 20th, Justice and Memory Solidarity (Jeonguiyeondae) and Korea-Japan History Justice and Peace Action issued a statement saying, "What authority do the Federal Government and the Japanese Ambassador to Germany have to participate in talks about dismantling the Statue of Peace erected by German citizens?" and criticized, "Doesn't this mean that the Japanese government's pressure is so intense that even the German Federal Government is involved?"
They continued, "The Statue of Peace is a universal symbol of women's human rights, warning against wartime sexual violence that still occurs worldwide," and urged the Japanese government to "immediately stop the shameless and malicious obstruction and attempts to dismantle the statue."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
