'Wednesday Demonstration' marks its 27th anniversary, still calling for Japan's heartfelt apology
- 5 years ago
27주년 맞이한 수요시위, 할머니들의 바람은 이루어질 수 있을까
Surviving victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery,.... civic groups and citizens have gathered in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul on almost every Wednesday since 1992.
Today marks the 27th anniversary of the first 'Wednesday Demonstration',... and the victims and participants are still demanding an official apology from Japan.
Kan Hyeong-woo reports.
Despite the freezing weather,... civic groups and some 200 individuals gathered on Pyeonghwa-ro Street, right in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday.
They are part of a weekly and peaceful demonstration that for 27 years have been calling on Tokyo to take responsability for its wartime sexual slavery of Korean women. The protesters, along with the surviving victims of such atrocity, are also demanding an official apology from the Japanese government.
But they are also calling on the Korean government to put more efforts into resolving the so-called comfort woman issue through diplomatic channels.
"Take the lead Take the lead Take the lead "
They say the landmark agreement signed between the previous administration and Tokyo in 2015, which stipulated the issue solved and served as the basis for the establishment of the Reconciliation and Healing Foundation to financially support the victims and their families is invalid.... as it did not take into account the victims' views.
Seoul's Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said it has decided to dissolve the foundation last November and said follow-up measures are already in motion to complete the shutdown of the entity.
But civic groups representing the victims are saying the Korean government failed to communicate with them in regards to the shutdown progress.
"It's been like this for decades. Waiting for an answer, waiting for a solution, seeing time flying by while the victims continue waiting. There's been no answers, no briefing, and no communication."
"The surviving victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery used to come out to the street for these weekly gatherings until late last year. But with an average age of 91 years old,… their health conditions have prevented them from being here."
Out of 240 registered victims in Korea, only 25 are still alive today... and this number is falling fast. Last year alone, 8 victims passed away.
So time is running out for the victims to receive what they call a 'heartfelt apology' from Japan.
Kan Hyeong-woo, Arirang News
Surviving victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery,.... civic groups and citizens have gathered in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul on almost every Wednesday since 1992.
Today marks the 27th anniversary of the first 'Wednesday Demonstration',... and the victims and participants are still demanding an official apology from Japan.
Kan Hyeong-woo reports.
Despite the freezing weather,... civic groups and some 200 individuals gathered on Pyeonghwa-ro Street, right in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday.
They are part of a weekly and peaceful demonstration that for 27 years have been calling on Tokyo to take responsability for its wartime sexual slavery of Korean women. The protesters, along with the surviving victims of such atrocity, are also demanding an official apology from the Japanese government.
But they are also calling on the Korean government to put more efforts into resolving the so-called comfort woman issue through diplomatic channels.
"Take the lead Take the lead Take the lead "
They say the landmark agreement signed between the previous administration and Tokyo in 2015, which stipulated the issue solved and served as the basis for the establishment of the Reconciliation and Healing Foundation to financially support the victims and their families is invalid.... as it did not take into account the victims' views.
Seoul's Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said it has decided to dissolve the foundation last November and said follow-up measures are already in motion to complete the shutdown of the entity.
But civic groups representing the victims are saying the Korean government failed to communicate with them in regards to the shutdown progress.
"It's been like this for decades. Waiting for an answer, waiting for a solution, seeing time flying by while the victims continue waiting. There's been no answers, no briefing, and no communication."
"The surviving victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery used to come out to the street for these weekly gatherings until late last year. But with an average age of 91 years old,… their health conditions have prevented them from being here."
Out of 240 registered victims in Korea, only 25 are still alive today... and this number is falling fast. Last year alone, 8 victims passed away.
So time is running out for the victims to receive what they call a 'heartfelt apology' from Japan.
Kan Hyeong-woo, Arirang News