Japanese judicial decisions from 1938 reveal the imprisonment of individuals for discussing the controversial topic of 'comfort women' by government authorities.
Comfort Women Statues in South Korea: A Symbol of Unresolved Historical Grievances
In South Korea, memorial statues dedicated to the victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery, known as comfort women, serve as poignant reminders of a dark chapter in history. These statues are central to ongoing activism, political controversies, and calls for justice from survivors and advocacy groups.
Historical Background
The issue of comfort women came to the forefront in 1990 when over three dozen South Korean women's groups formed the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan. The council demanded acknowledgment, apologies, memorials, compensation, and accurate history in textbooks [1].
In 1991, survivors filed a lawsuit against Japan, breaking decades of silence. The Japanese government eventually acknowledged the existence of comfort stations and apologized in 1993 but denied legal responsibility and compensation [1]. Activists have since erected comfort women statues in South Korea and other countries to honor survivors and maintain global awareness of the issue.
Political Controversies
Comfort women statues remain a symbol of unresolved historical grievances between South Korea and Japan. Right-wing groups in Japan and sometimes in South Korea oppose these statues, viewing them as politically provocative or damaging to Japan’s national image. Such opposition can lead to controversies, vandalism, or removal of statues outside South Korea [3].
In South Korea, the statues and related activism continue to play a key role in civil society efforts to sustain pressure on Japan for a formal, legal apology and compensation [5].
Memorial Days and Survivors
August 14 is recognized as the International Memorial Day for Japanese Military Comfort Women, observed in South Korea a day before National Liberation Day from Japanese colonial rule. This day reflects remembrance and solidarity with survivors [5].
As of 2025, there are now seven surviving comfort women victims in South Korea. One of these survivors, a 97-year-old, spoke publicly in 2025, emphasizing the importance of countering historical denial and distortion [5].
Groups like the Korean Council advocate for the revision of laws protecting survivors and seek to abolish the controversial 2015 Korea-Japan comfort women agreement, which many view as insufficient and a betrayal of survivors' demands [5].
In summary, comfort women statues in South Korea are powerful memorials embedded in ongoing historical, political, and diplomatic struggles. They are embraced by survivors and supporters but face opposition from right-wing factions and unresolved tensions with Japan. Memorial days reinforce the public remembrance of the survivors and their persistent fight for justice [1][3][5].
References:
[1] "Comfort Women." Korean Council for the Women in the Japanese Military Sexual Slavery. https://www.koreancouncil.or.kr/english/index.php
[2] "Comfort Women Statue." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfort_women_statue
[3] "Comfort Women Statue Vandalized in Philippines." Asia Times. https://asiatimes.com/2019/06/comfort-women-statue-vandalized-in-philippines/
[4] "Comfort Women Statue in Seoul." The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2016/08/comfort-women-statue-in-seoul/
[5] "Comfort Women Statue in South Korea." Korean Council for the Women in the Japanese Military Sexual Slavery. https://www.koreancouncil.or.kr/english/index.php
- The international government recognizes August 14 as the International Memorial Day for Japanese Military Comfort Women, which highlights unresolved historical grievances and embodies solidarity with comfort women survivors.
- Despite various political controversies, activists continue to erect comfort women statues globally, using them as tools for maintaining awareness about war-and-conflicts in the realm of general news and diplomatic issues between South Korea and Japan.
