At 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7, a press conference was held in front of the main building of the Government Complex Seoul under the slogan: “Stop Hate Protests in Front of Schools! Strongly Condemn Far-Right Groups Attacking the Statue of Peace and Demand Firm Action from the Government and National Assembly.”
The press conference was organized to urge the government, the National Assembly, and educational authorities to take decisive action against history denialism and hate-inciting acts by far-right groups. A large number of participants gathered in solidarity, with 218 organizations signing on to the joint statement. Many university students also joined the event on site, demonstrating strong opposition to hate-driven attacks on historical memory and human rights.
Far-right historical denial groups, including the so-called “National Action to Abolish the Comfort Women Law,” announced on October 29 that they would hold a rally in front of Muhak Girls’ High School, demanding the removal of the Statue of Peace established in the school. They further threatened to stage similar rallies in front of other schools where Statues of Peace are established.
Demanding the removal of Statues of Peace, established by students through collective effort in spaces meant for learning democracy, human rights, and peace, is an act of intimidation and violence in itself. Such actions directly threaten students’ voices calling for women’s rights, opposition to wartime sexual violence, anti-war · peace, and historical justice, replacing dialogue with hatred and coercion.
After the press statement, participants formally delivered a list of demands to the Office of the Senior Secretary for Civil Society under the Office of the Prime Minister.
After the press conference, participating organizations held a meeting to formally establish a Joint Countermeasures Committee to respond to far-right attacks targeting the Statue of Peace and to discuss future strategies. Going forward, the Joint Countermeasures Committee will call for concrete actions by the government and the National Assembly, including relevant legal amendments, and will urge educational authorities and local governments to fulfill their responsibilities. The committee also plans to expand grassroots initiatives such as “Protectors of the Statue of Peace in Our Communities” and to continue organizing against historical distortion and hate-based action.
At 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7, a press conference was held in front of the main building of the Government Complex Seoul under the slogan: “Stop Hate Protests in Front of Schools! Strongly Condemn Far-Right Groups Attacking the Statue of Peace and Demand Firm Action from the Government and National Assembly.”
The press conference was organized to urge the government, the National Assembly, and educational authorities to take decisive action against history denialism and hate-inciting acts by far-right groups. A large number of participants gathered in solidarity, with 218 organizations signing on to the joint statement. Many university students also joined the event on site, demonstrating strong opposition to hate-driven attacks on historical memory and human rights.
Far-right historical denial groups, including the so-called “National Action to Abolish the Comfort Women Law,” announced on October 29 that they would hold a rally in front of Muhak Girls’ High School, demanding the removal of the Statue of Peace established in the school. They further threatened to stage similar rallies in front of other schools where Statues of Peace are established.
Demanding the removal of Statues of Peace, established by students through collective effort in spaces meant for learning democracy, human rights, and peace, is an act of intimidation and violence in itself. Such actions directly threaten students’ voices calling for women’s rights, opposition to wartime sexual violence, anti-war · peace, and historical justice, replacing dialogue with hatred and coercion.
After the press statement, participants formally delivered a list of demands to the Office of the Senior Secretary for Civil Society under the Office of the Prime Minister.
After the press conference, participating organizations held a meeting to formally establish a Joint Countermeasures Committee to respond to far-right attacks targeting the Statue of Peace and to discuss future strategies. Going forward, the Joint Countermeasures Committee will call for concrete actions by the government and the National Assembly, including relevant legal amendments, and will urge educational authorities and local governments to fulfill their responsibilities. The committee also plans to expand grassroots initiatives such as “Protectors of the Statue of Peace in Our Communities” and to continue organizing against historical distortion and hate-based action.