The delegation from the Gyeonggi Provincial Council's Dokdo Love and Homeland Love Association took a commemorative photo after holding a Wednesday rally in front of the Statue of Peace 'Ari' located in Mitte District, Berlin, Germany, together with members of the Korea Council civic group on the 25th (local time).
The Gyeonggi Provincial Council has stepped up to protect the German Peace Statue of a Girl facing demolition.
On the 25th (local time), the Gyeonggi Provincial Council Dokdo Love and Land Love Association delegation held a Wednesday rally in front of the Peace Statue of a Girl named ‘Ari’ located in Mitte District, Berlin, Germany, together with members of the Korea Council civic group, urging the halt of demolition, the council announced on the 27th.
Kim Yong-seong, head of the delegation (Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly member), expressed, "I sincerely thank everyone gathered here to protect ‘Ari,’ which symbolizes peace and human rights," emphasizing the delegation’s purpose, the importance of correct historical awareness, and the necessity of permanently preserving the Peace Statue of a Girl.
He added, "Although a resolution opposing the demolition of ‘Ari’ was passed by the Mitte District Council on the 19th, supported by petitions from local Germans urging the statue’s preservation, the Mitte District’s stance to forcibly proceed with demolition unless the site is privately relocated is deeply frustrating," and insisted, "We must protect ‘Ari’ from all bureaucratic attempts to demolish or relocate it."
Notably, the rally also featured a message from Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon opposing the demolition of the Peace Statue of a Girl ‘Ari.’
In his message, Governor Kim said, "The Peace Statue of a Girl is our pledge not to repeat painful history and to remember those who courageously testified to uphold human dignity," and urged, "I hope the statue will be protected in Germany, a country that has set an example in reflecting on its past."
Meanwhile, the rally included cultural events such as an installation performance of Hous der Fremede (House of the Stranger) by artist Ha Jin-ran, a gayageum performance by musician Park Hyun-jung, and a concert by the band Unsuspecting Carpenters.
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