Demonstrators in Seoul, the Republic of Korea's capital on Wednesday, called for special attention to the sexual enslavement of women under Japanese colonial rule, demanding apology and compensation from Tokyo.
Japanese Prime Minister Senae Takaichi has previously questioned Japan's sexual enslavement of women, igniting concern among "comfort women" supporters.
"We warn you clearly: A nation that denies its past and advances toward becoming a military power can never speak of peace. Electoral victory cannot absolve war crimes, and domestic political support cannot absolve historical responsibility," said Lee Na-young from Memory Justice Union. In 2019, opposition groups that denied Japan's wartime atrocities began staging counter-demonstrations, sometimes harassing supporters of "comfort women." But a recent law has made those groups suspend their activities.
ROK lawmakers last week agreed to amend the "Comfort Women" Victims Protection Act to criminalize such denialism. Japan's contention that it has already apologized and provided compensation is not accepted.
"What the victims clearly demanded was an acknowledgment of responsibility and an apology, but these were omitted. The victims' genuine demands were omitted, and the agreements were concluded with money and collusion between the two governments," Song Young-kyung, a college student.
These Wednesday demonstrations began back in January of 1992. This marks the 1,739th such rally.
Fewer than 10 registered Republic of Korea "comfort women" - a euphemism for those forced into sexual slavery by Japan's imperial military during World War II - are still alive.
The government was also criticized by protesters for being too "weak."
"Our government needs to be more forceful and say, 'Acknowledge your wrongdoing'," said Yim Key-jai, a retiree.
Rally in Seoul demands apology from Japan for wartime sexual slavery
Rally in Seoul demands apology from Japan for wartime sexual slavery
