Statue of Peace in Berlin at Risk: "Forced Removal if Not Relocated by the 14th"

Berlin City Authorities Demand Removal and Fine Payment
Mitte District Office Reluctant to Extend Permit After Japanese Government's Protest

The Berlin city authorities in Germany have reportedly sent a final ultimatum to the organization that installed the Statue of Peace, reaffirming their intention to remove the monument.

On October 10 (local time), Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the Korea Verband, a civic group based in Germany, that the Mitte District Office in Berlin recently sent an official notice to the organization, stating that if the statue is not removed by October 14, it will proceed with a forced removal.

The district office warned, "Since you have made it clear that you will not voluntarily relocate the statue from public road space, any further warnings are meaningless," adding that it would employ a professional company to carry out the removal if necessary.

The office also reiterated its previously announced plan to impose a fine of 3,000 euros (approximately 4.97 million won), demanding payment within two weeks. In August, the Mitte District Office had already ordered the removal of the statue by October 7, stating that the two-year temporary art installation period had expired.

Statue of Peace erected in the heart of Mitte District, Berlin, Germany. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In response, the Korea Verband, which installed the statue, filed for an injunction with the Berlin Administrative Court to suspend the enforcement of the district office's order.

The Berlin Statue of Peace was erected in September 2020 on public land in the heart of Mitte District and has served as a symbol commemorating the victims of the Japanese military's "comfort women" system, drawing social attention even within Germany. However, following protests from the Japanese government, the Mitte District Office has been reluctant to extend the installation permit.

Although the district office also issued a removal order in September last year, the court accepted the Korea Verband's request for an injunction, suspending the order's effect. In April of this year, the court once again recognized the statue's right to remain, allowing it to stay at its current location until September 28.

Subsequently, the district office and the Korea Verband discussed relocating the statue to private property but failed to reach an agreement. In July, the Mitte District Office announced a decision to move the statue to land owned by the private organization "Tiergarten Tenants' Cooperative." However, both the Korea Verband and the cooperative refuted this, stating, "This was a unilateral announcement by the district office, and no such agreement was made."

The court is expected to rule on the legitimacy of the district office's removal order by next week. The Korea Verband stated, "We will determine our next course of action after the court's decision is announced."