National Human Rights Commission of Korea Chairperson Ahn Changho stated that, ahead of the 'Memorial Day for Japanese Military Comfort Women Victims,' consistent diplomatic efforts by the government that take into account the perspectives of the victims are necessary. Since 2017, the government has designated August 14 each year as the Memorial Day for Japanese Military Comfort Women Victims.
On August 13, in an official statement, Chairperson Ahn said, "August 14, 1991, is a historic day when the late Kim Haksoon, a victim of the Japanese military comfort women system, first publicly testified about her experiences," emphasizing, "The forced mobilization and horrific sexual violence committed by the Japanese military under Japanese imperialist rule constitute war crimes in violation of international conventions."
Chairperson Ahn pointed out that the 2015 agreement between the South Korean and Japanese governments on the issue of Japanese military comfort women victims did not sufficiently reflect the wishes of the victims. He explained, "There were limitations in that the wishes of the victims, who sought an official apology and legal acknowledgment of responsibility from the Japanese government, were not reflected in the contents of the agreement."
Chairperson Ahn stated, "To this day, there has been no official apology from the Japanese government that acknowledges 'legal responsibility,' and the honor and dignity of the victims have not been fully restored." However, he added, "I find it highly meaningful that, on May 15, a domestic court confirmed for the third time a ruling recognizing the Japanese government's liability for damages in a lawsuit filed by the bereaved family of the late Kil Gapsoon. This demonstrates heightened public awareness and a commitment to justice regarding the issue of Japanese military comfort women victims."
Chairperson Ahn emphasized, "This confirms that the issue of Japanese military 'comfort women' is not merely a matter of diplomatic agreement, but a 'war crime for which compensation is owed.'" He further stated, "Given the uncertainty over whether the victims will actually be able to receive compensation from the Japanese government, consistent governmental positions and diplomatic efforts by the Korean government that prioritize the perspectives of the victims are necessary for meaningful compensation to be realized."
Chairperson Ahn expressed his hope that "the issue of Japanese military comfort women will be recognized not simply as a historical matter of the past, but as a challenge for human rights and peace in the present and future," and stressed, "The National Human Rights Commission will continue to do its utmost to prevent the recurrence of sexual violence in wartime and to protect the human rights of victims."
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