Books Denying Sexual Slavery by Japanese Military in Public Libraries... Kang Hoonsik: "Must Not Be Exploited as Channels for Historical Distortion"

Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoonsik Chairs Senior Secretaries' Meeting
Books Denying Sexual Slavery by the Japanese Military Placed in 40 Public Libraries
"The Dissemination of False Information Is Not Protected"

Kang Hunsik, Chief Presidential Secretary, is speaking at a high-level ruling party-government meeting held on the 8th at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoonsik stated on the 9th that, regarding books placed in public libraries that deny the fact of sexual slavery by the Japanese military, "Institutional improvements are needed to ensure that public libraries are not exploited as channels for historical distortion."

According to Jeon Eunsu, deputy spokesperson for the presidential office, Kang said at a senior secretaries' meeting that afternoon, "Freedom of expression and freedom of the press guaranteed by the Constitution must be respected, but this does not mean that the dissemination of clearly false information is also protected."

Kang said, "It is by no means a matter that can be taken lightly when content that denies historical truth and undermines the dignity of victims is distributed as public books purchased with taxpayers' money," and instructed the relevant ministries to "conduct a comprehensive review of the systems related to the selection and placement criteria and guidelines for public library collections, and prepare necessary improvement measures."

It has been reported that the book "Red Wednesday" by Kim Byunghyun, who was investigated by the police on charges of insulting victims of sexual slavery by the Japanese military, has been placed in more than 40 public libraries nationwide. The book is said to contain the argument that the Japanese government never forcibly mobilized comfort women.