Gwangju Buk-gu Holds 8th Anniversary Event for the Peace Statue

Photo Exhibition and Testimony Readings Mark "Victims Memorial Day"

Gwangju Buk-gu held a commemorative event for the 8th anniversary of the Peace Statue to mark the Japanese military "comfort women" Victims Memorial Day.

On the 12th, the event was organized by the Buk-gu Peace Statue for Girls Human Rights Promotion Committee and took place in the conference room on the third floor of the district office. Over 80 people attended, including Moon In, Mayor of Buk-gu, local council members, and residents.

At the commemorative event "Girls' Cry, I Am the Statue of a Girl!" held at Gwangju Bukgu Office on the 12th, attendees hold placards and the Taegeukgi flag, pledging to restore the honor of the victims of Japanese military sexual slavery. Provided by Bukgu

From 9:30 a.m., pre-event programs were held, including a photo zone with the Peace Statue, an exhibition of portraits of seven victims from the Honam region, and a guestbook where attendees could write messages of commitment. This was followed by the national pledge, a moment of silence, a speech by the committee chair, congratulatory remarks from the mayor and the chair of the Buk-gu Council, and a solidarity message from Buk-gu council member Hwang Yewon.

The committee chair, the mayor, the council chair, and representatives of children and youth-seven people in total-read testimonies of the victims, reflecting on the pain of that day. Afterwards, the Buk-gu Senior Choir performed, and participants concluded the event by taking a group photo holding placards with the phrases "Girls' Cry" and "I Am the Statue of a Girl!"

Mayor Moon In stated, "We will continue to uphold the values of human rights and peace and pass on a correct understanding of history to future generations."

Meanwhile, the Japanese military "comfort women" Victims Memorial Day is a national day designated to restore the honor and human rights of the victims. It commemorates August 14, 1991, when the late Kim Haksoon became the first survivor to publicly testify about her experience as a comfort woman.