On May 16, the city of Berlin announced in a press release that Mayor Kai Wegner, who was visiting Tokyo, Japan, had "proposed a solution to the controversial issue of the Berin Statue of Peace" during a meeting with the Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, suggesting that the statue be removed. Mayor Wegner also stated that he was "in favour of monuments against violence against women, but that there should not be one-sided" and that he was "discussing with all relevant parties, including the district of the federal government, and will involve the Japanese ambassador to Germany in this discuss."
Expressing strong disappointment at the Mayor of Berlin, Germany's "suggestion of removing the Statue of Peace," the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan(The Korean Council) held a joint press conference in front of the Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Korea on May 22 at 2:30 p.m. to condemn Mayor Kai Wegner's remarks and to call for the permanent upkeep of the Statue of Peace in Mitte, Berlin.
The press conference was followed by an open letter to the German Embassy signed by civilian society organizations and citizens. Victim-survivor and women's rights activist Lee Yong-Soo also gave a press conference speech. Accompanied by Lee Na-Young, chairperson of the Korean Council, victim-survivor and women’s rights activist Lee Yong-Soo delivered a handwritten letter to the German Embassy and held a 50-minute meeting with the embassy officials.
(Letter from Lee Yong-Soo)
During the meeting, Lee Yong-Soo stated, “The Statue of Peace represents not just one girl, but hundreds of thousands of deceased victims. We hope that Germany will uphold the victims’ wish for peace.” The embassy official responded, “We will ensure that your letter is delivered to the Mayor of Berlin, Germany, and other relevant German federal government officials.” A letter was also delivered by Nataly Jung-Hwa Han, Chair of Korea Verband, who has been defending the Berlin Statue of Peace. On May 20 (Monday), within just one day, the petition garnered signatures from 176 organizations and 1,878 individuals worldwide, including those from the Republic of Korea, Germany, Japan, the United States, and Norway.
The Korean citizens with the Korean Council, we strongly condemn the comments of Mayor of Berlin.
In solidarity with citizens around the world who are working for peace and human rights, we will protect the statue of peace until the end.
๐ Press relaese (English)
๐English Position Statement
๐French Position Statement
* More Context
On December 14, 2011, The Statue of Peace was unveiled in the 1000th Wednesday Demonstration in front of the Japanese Embassy. Since then, the Statue of Peace has been established by citizens not only in Korea but also in various countries such as Germany. The Statue of Peace is a universal symbol of women's human rights and urges attention to wartime sexual violence that still occurs around the world.
However, the Japanese government is relentlessly disrupting and removing the Statue of Peace, including the statues in the USA (San Francisco, Glendale, etc.), Argentina (Buenos Aires), etc. Even the Japanese government, through part of the '2015 Korea-Japan "Comfort Women" Agreement' on Dec 28, 2015, demanded the removal of the statue in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Korea.
In Korea, 148 statues were established by the citizens. Recently, the history denialists vandalized the statues. They wrapped the face of the Statue of Peace with plastic bags, holding the Japanese national flag. Korean citizens are furious about this unacceptable act. Including the Korean Council, citizens and organizations are taking action against history denialists for defamation of victims.
On May 16, the city of Berlin announced in a press release that Mayor Kai Wegner, who was visiting Tokyo, Japan, had "proposed a solution to the controversial issue of the Berin Statue of Peace" during a meeting with the Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, suggesting that the statue be removed. Mayor Wegner also stated that he was "in favour of monuments against violence against women, but that there should not be one-sided" and that he was "discussing with all relevant parties, including the district of the federal government, and will involve the Japanese ambassador to Germany in this discuss."
Expressing strong disappointment at the Mayor of Berlin, Germany's "suggestion of removing the Statue of Peace," the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan(The Korean Council) held a joint press conference in front of the Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Korea on May 22 at 2:30 p.m. to condemn Mayor Kai Wegner's remarks and to call for the permanent upkeep of the Statue of Peace in Mitte, Berlin.
The press conference was followed by an open letter to the German Embassy signed by civilian society organizations and citizens. Victim-survivor and women's rights activist Lee Yong-Soo also gave a press conference speech. Accompanied by Lee Na-Young, chairperson of the Korean Council, victim-survivor and women’s rights activist Lee Yong-Soo delivered a handwritten letter to the German Embassy and held a 50-minute meeting with the embassy officials.
During the meeting, Lee Yong-Soo stated, “The Statue of Peace represents not just one girl, but hundreds of thousands of deceased victims. We hope that Germany will uphold the victims’ wish for peace.” The embassy official responded, “We will ensure that your letter is delivered to the Mayor of Berlin, Germany, and other relevant German federal government officials.” A letter was also delivered by Nataly Jung-Hwa Han, Chair of Korea Verband, who has been defending the Berlin Statue of Peace. On May 20 (Monday), within just one day, the petition garnered signatures from 176 organizations and 1,878 individuals worldwide, including those from the Republic of Korea, Germany, Japan, the United States, and Norway.
The Korean citizens with the Korean Council, we strongly condemn the comments of Mayor of Berlin.
In solidarity with citizens around the world who are working for peace and human rights, we will protect the statue of peace until the end.
๐ Press relaese (English)
๐English Position Statement
๐French Position Statement
* More Context
On December 14, 2011, The Statue of Peace was unveiled in the 1000th Wednesday Demonstration in front of the Japanese Embassy. Since then, the Statue of Peace has been established by citizens not only in Korea but also in various countries such as Germany. The Statue of Peace is a universal symbol of women's human rights and urges attention to wartime sexual violence that still occurs around the world.
However, the Japanese government is relentlessly disrupting and removing the Statue of Peace, including the statues in the USA (San Francisco, Glendale, etc.), Argentina (Buenos Aires), etc. Even the Japanese government, through part of the '2015 Korea-Japan "Comfort Women" Agreement' on Dec 28, 2015, demanded the removal of the statue in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Korea.
In Korea, 148 statues were established by the citizens. Recently, the history denialists vandalized the statues. They wrapped the face of the Statue of Peace with plastic bags, holding the Japanese national flag. Korean citizens are furious about this unacceptable act. Including the Korean Council, citizens and organizations are taking action against history denialists for defamation of victims.