[Press Release] Joint press conference to condemn Berlin,
Germany's mayor's comments suggesting removal of the Statue of Peace
The Japanese Government must immediately cease its insolent and vicious sabotage and attempted removal of the Statue of Peace! The city of Berlin should permanently maintain the Statue of Peace, a symbol of women's human rights that calls attention to wartime sexual violence!
Thank you for your efforts in reporting on this issue.
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."
The Statue of Peace is a symbol of women's rights, a monument that commemorates the history of Japanese military sexual slavery and hopes to stop wartime sexual violence that still occurs around the world today. The Statue of Peace in Mitte, Berlin, was also erected by German citizens who wanted to prevent tragedies like the Japanese military sexual slavery from happening again. By siding with the Japanese Government, which still denies war crimes and revises history, the removal of the statue would not only dilute the efforts made by Germany, a perpetrator of World War II, to acknowledge its wrongdoings and fulfil its responsibility to reparations to victims, but it would also disregard the history of sexual violence suffered by countless German women in the immediate aftermath of the war.
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.
We look forward to your interest and coverage.
Appendix 1. Overview and Programme of Press Conference
Appendix 2. A Letter from Lee Yong-Soo (Victim-survivor and Women's Rights Activist)
Appendix 3. A Letter from Nataly Jung-Hwa Han (Chair of Korea Verband): Translated in German
Appendix 4. A Letter from the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance fro the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, Civilian Society Organizations and Citizens
Appendix 5. Photos from the Press Conference
May 22, 2024
The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan
_____________________________________
Appendix 1. Overview and Programme of Press Conference
Joint press conference to condemn Berlin,
Germany's mayor's comments suggesting removal of the Statue of Peace
-The Japanese Government must immediately cease its insolent and vicious sabotage and attempted removal of the Statue of Peace!-
-The city of Berlin should permanently maintain the Statue of Peace, a symbol of women's human rights that calls attention to wartime sexual violence!-
◼ Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 2:30 p.m. (KST)
◼ Location: In front of the Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Korea
◼ Organizers: The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, civilian society organizations and citizens
◼ Organized by: The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan
Program
Moderator: Kyong-Hee Han (Secretary General of the Korean Council)
1. Statement
- Lee Yong-Soo (Victim-survivor and women's rights activist)
- Nataly Jung-Hwa Han (Chair of Korea Verband) *An activist from the Korean Council will read instead
- Kim Seo-Kyung (Sculptor of the Statue of Peace, Co-Executive Director of Kim Bok-dong's Hope)
- Kim Hyang-Mi (Co-Executive Director of of Suwon Peace Nabi)
- Baek, Hwi-Sun (Executive Director of Peace Nab)
2. Letter reading
- Lee Na-Young (Chair of the Korean Council)
3. Performance: Letter Delivery
_____________________________________
Appendix 2. A Letter from Lee Yong-Soo (Victim-survivor and Women's Rights Activist)
(English Translation)
The Statue of Peace, established in the world, protects each country,
and they are a symbol of world peace without war.
We must not remove the Statue of Peace in Berlin.
I desperately ask you,
Please protect the Statue of Peace.
May 22, 2024,
Lee, Yong-Soo
_____________________________________
Appendix 3. A Letter from Nataly Jung-Hwa Han (Chair of Korea Verband): Translated in German
Sehr geehrter Herr Botschafter Schmidt,
Die Äußerungen zur „Friedensstatue“ in der Presseerklärung des Regierenden Bürgermeisters von Berlin, Kai Wegner (CDU), sind für unseren Verein, den Korea Verband e.V. in Berlin, nicht hinnehmbar.
Die japanische Regierung hat seit ihrer Absichtserklärung, die Friedensstatue weltweit zu entfernen, unaufhörlich Einfluss auf politische Entscheidungen und Prozesse in verschiedenen Ländern genommen. Den Höhepunkt der Lobbyarbeit der japanischen Regierung im deutschen Kontext stellte das Treffen zwischen Premierminister Kishida und Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz am 28. April 2022 dar, bei dem Kishida die Entfernung der Friedensstatue von Scholz forderte. Bundeskanzler Scholz erklärte, dass Kunst im Stadtraum in Berlin unter die Zuständigkeit des Bezirks fällt, weshalb sich die Bundesregierung nicht einmischen kann. Scholz‘ Standpunkt steht deutlich dem Statement des Regierenden Bürgermeisters von Berlin gegenüber, der den Eindruck erweckt, dass er selbst eine „Veränderung“ in Bezug auf die Friedensstatue herbeiführen kann. Seinen Vorschlag, die japanische Botschaft in die Diskussion über die Errichtung eines Denkmals für Opfer von Gewalt gegen Frauen einzubeziehen, werten wir als äußerst gefährlich. Bisher hat der Regierende Bürgermeister noch nicht das Gespräch mit uns gesucht, obwohl wir schon seit Jahren sowohl mit der Friedensstatue als auch mit unserem “Museum der Trostfrauen” in Berlin aktiv sind.
Die aktuelle Debatte möchte ich als Anlass nehmen, Ihnen anhand eines konkreten Beispiels zu erklären, warum die Friedensstatue nicht als Symbol oder Verursacher für Konflikte betrachtet werden darf. So gibt es in der japanischen Stadt Fukushima ein Holocaust-Erziehungszentrum und ein Denkmal für Anne Frank.
Das Holocaust-Erziehungszentrum Otsuka erklärt: „Unser Ziel ist es, dass Besucher, insbesondere Kinder und Jugendliche, darüber nachdenken, wie wir Frieden in der Welt schaffen können.“ Dies entspricht ebenfalls dem Zweck und der Botschaft unseres Vereines und der Bedeutung der Friedensstatue.
https://www.dw.com/de/japan-faszination-für-anne-frank/a-18289610
Warum wird die Friedensstatue als ein Denkmal des Konfliktes angesehen, während die Statue von Anne Frank als ein Denkmal, das sich gegen die Wiederholung der Geschichte ausspricht, anerkannt wird? Die Friedensstatue wird aufgrund des Widerstands der Täterregierung Japan als „problematisches“ Denkmal betrachtet. In der jetzigen Situation unterstützen deutsche Politiker die japanische Regierung in ihrer Perspektive, obwohl Japan ein Täterland war.
Die Bezirksbürgermeisterin von Berlin-Mitte, Stefanie Remlinger, wünschte sich zu Beginn ihrer Amtszeit, dass die Friedensstatue dauerhaft erhalten bleibt. Sie erkannte an, dass die Statue ein Symbol gegen sexuelle Gewalt ist und verstand sie als universelles Denkmal für Frauenrechte und die Zukunft. Aber nun wird die Statue als Symbol für Konflikte anstatt für Frieden dargestellt und droht wegen der „guten diplomatischen Beziehungen“ zu Japan entfernt zu werden.
Der Korea Verband ist ein koreanisch-deutscher Verein, der seit seiner Gründung im Jahr 1990 große Anstrengungen unternommen hat, um koreanische Geschichte und Politik in der deutschen Gesellschaft korrekt zu vermitteln. Als Organisation in der Migrationsgesellschaft hat sich der Korea Verband über die traditionelle Integrationspolitik hinaus für die Schaffung einer vielfältigen Gesellschaft eingesetzt, in der Menschen mit ganz unterschiedlichen Identitäten friedlich zusammenleben. Derzeit führt der Korea Verband verschiedene Bildungsprojekte über die Friedensstatue und das “Museum der Trostfrauen” durch, weshalb uns nicht nur Bürger und Organisationen aus Deutschland, sondern auch aus der ganzen Welt besuchen kommen. Der Korea Verband greift Japan nicht einseitig an, sondern thematisiert zum Beispiel ebenso KZ- und Wehrmachtsbordelle im Dritten Reich, die Probleme der Sex-Workerinnen in US-Militärbasen in Korea, und die Beteiligung der koreanischen Armee am Vietnamkrieg. Die Friedensstatue ist ein sehr wichtiger Grundpfeiler unserer Bildungsarbeit.
Die Friedensstatue wurde nicht nur errichtet, um an die Verbrechen des Täterstaates Japan zu erinnern, sondern auch um das Schweigen zu brechen und den Mut der Überlebenden zu würdigen, die von Opfern zu Menschenrechtsaktivisten wurden, um den Teufelskreis der sexuellen Gewalt gegen Frauen, der bis heute andauert, zu durchbrechen. Deutschland betrachtet Japan derzeit als Wertepartner und Korea ebenso. Als eine zivilgesellschaftliche Organisation, die unter dem Druck der japanischen Regierung steht, bitten wir die deutsche Botschaft darum, sich für folgende Punkte stark zu machen:
1. Das deutsche Außenministerium soll die japanische Regierung und die japanische Botschaft auffordern, ihre Lobbyaktivitäten in der deutschen Gesellschaft zu stoppen.
2. Der Regierende Bürgermeister von Berlin soll aufgefordert werden, die Zuständigkeit des Bezirks Berlin-Mitte für Kunst im Stadtraum nicht zu verletzen.
3. Die deutschen Politiker und Beamten sollen darüber informiert werden, dass die Friedensstatue ein transnationales Symbol für die Frauenrechte ist.
4. Die Geschichte der koreanischen Gemeinschaft, die zur Entwicklung der deutschen Wirtschaft und Kultur beigetragen hat, soll als Teil der deutschen Geschichte anerkannt werden.
Mit ausgezeichneter Hochachtung
Berlin, den 21. Mai 2024
Nataly Jung-Hwa Han
Vorsitzende des Korea Verbands e.V.
_____________________________________
Appendix 4. A Letter from the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance fro the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, Civilian Society Organizations and Citizens
Dear German Ambassador Georg Schmidt,
I am writing to express the outrage and dismay of people worldwide working for peace and human rights. Please ensure this open letter reaches the German federal government officials and the Chancellor.
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. Even more surprising, Mayor Wegner stated that he was “in favor of monuments against violence against women, but that there should not be unilateral representations” 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.”
In what authority are the federal government and the Japanese ambassador to Germany involved in the “discussion” regarding removing the Statue of Peace established by German citizens? Does it mean that the pressure from the Japanese government to remove the monument is so intense that even the German federal government should be involved? More fundamentally, what is controversial to whom? By "unilateral," does it mean against the Japanese government's position of denying and distorting war crimes? How Germany, a country that has reflected on the war crimes committed by Nazi Germany in World War II, realizing its fault in the historical past, and the Mayor of Berlin, a city that also suffered the pain of division as a result of war, just like Korean Peninsula could say such things?
We are appalled that these remarks are coming from Germany, a country that is often credited with having succeeded in closing its past with its own Holocaust memorials and foundations, and we express our strong disapproval of the Berlin mayor's comments.
The Berlin mayor's comments are likely not unrelated to the Japanese government's relentless campaign to sabotage and remove the Statue of Peace. We recognize this relates to the Japanese government's relentless political maneuver to remove and disturb the Statue of Peace. Japanese government’s hysterical reaction to the Peace Statue was already revealed in the “2015 Korea-Japan “Comfort Women” Agreement”, which was suddenly announced on December 28, 2015. As part of the agreement, the Japanese government demanded the removal of the Statue of Peace in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. At the same time, through shadow negotiations, the Japanese government expressed concern about the Peace Statutes in “third-party countries” and urged the Korean government to persuade civilian society organizations to remove them. Since then, the Japanese government and municipalities have made all efforts to remove the statues, including the San Francisco and Glendale peace statues in the U.S. In April 2022, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida personally demanded that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz remove the statues during his visit to Japan. When Buenos Aires, Argentina, tried to establish a Peace Statute, pressure was exerted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), suspension of economic cooperation, and obstruction of UNESCO’s recognition, ultimately leading to its removal. In March 2023, the Peace Statue at Kassel University in Germany, which the student union had established, was suddenly removed, coinciding with the announcement of a “third-party reimbursement plan for forced mobilization victims.”
The Statue of Peace is a universal symbol of women’s rights that calls attention to wartime sexual violence that still occurs in many parts of the world. It is a voluntary action for peace and a pledge by citizens worldwide not to repeat history. Then why is the Japanese government overreacting, especially to the Statue of Peace? It’s because the Japanese government wants to cover up their wrongdoings while ignoring the historical truth. Since the 1930s, the Japanese government has perpetrated horrific sexual violence against countless women in the Asia-Pacific region. Yet, it has refused to acknowledge the truth, officially apologize by admitting the fact, or provide legal reparations. They even distort history textbooks to cover up their crimes and attack victims as “voluntary prostitutes.” For years, the international community, including the United Nations, has been calling for redress through numerous recommendations and reports, but they are ignoring it shamelessly.
Under these circumstances, if the Mayor of Berlin and the German federal government joined with the Japanese government to remove the Peace Statue, Germany would lose all the credibility it had built up in the international community. It will be seen as a deceitful country that is only interested in crimes committed against Europeans within Europe and overlooks the horrific crimes Japan has committed against Asian women. Above all, it would be a huge stain on the history of German democracy if it caved into the Japanese government’s pressure and took down the Statue of Peace erected by its citizens.
Will Germany follow the path of regression, refusing to acknowledge or reflect on the Japanese government’s past full of denial on war crime, or will it lead the way for peace and human rights based on its past acts of reflection? The attempt to remove the Berlin Peace Statue will be a litmus test.
We, the citizens of Korea who stand with the Korean Council and civilian society organizations, strongly condemn the Mayor of Berlin’s statement and call on the city of Berlin to take the lead in the permanent installation of the statue, protecting the historical significance and its future implication for peace. We demand Germany be a country that is not afraid of pressure and appeasement from the Japanese government but rather of citizens who try to defend and preserve the history, historical justice and human rights of the countless victims and survivors of wartime sexual violence around the world.
May 22, 2024
The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, 176 civilian society organizations and 1878 citizens
_____________________________________
Appendix 5. Photos from the Press Conference
[Press Release] Joint press conference to condemn Berlin,
Germany's mayor's comments suggesting removal of the Statue of Peace
The Japanese Government must immediately cease its insolent and vicious sabotage and attempted removal of the Statue of Peace! The city of Berlin should permanently maintain the Statue of Peace, a symbol of women's human rights that calls attention to wartime sexual violence!
Thank you for your efforts in reporting on this issue.
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."
The Statue of Peace is a symbol of women's rights, a monument that commemorates the history of Japanese military sexual slavery and hopes to stop wartime sexual violence that still occurs around the world today. The Statue of Peace in Mitte, Berlin, was also erected by German citizens who wanted to prevent tragedies like the Japanese military sexual slavery from happening again. By siding with the Japanese Government, which still denies war crimes and revises history, the removal of the statue would not only dilute the efforts made by Germany, a perpetrator of World War II, to acknowledge its wrongdoings and fulfil its responsibility to reparations to victims, but it would also disregard the history of sexual violence suffered by countless German women in the immediate aftermath of the war.
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.
We look forward to your interest and coverage.
Appendix 1. Overview and Programme of Press Conference
Appendix 2. A Letter from Lee Yong-Soo (Victim-survivor and Women's Rights Activist)
Appendix 3. A Letter from Nataly Jung-Hwa Han (Chair of Korea Verband): Translated in German
Appendix 4. A Letter from the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance fro the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, Civilian Society Organizations and Citizens
Appendix 5. Photos from the Press Conference
The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan
_____________________________________
Appendix 1. Overview and Programme of Press Conference
Joint press conference to condemn Berlin,
Germany's mayor's comments suggesting removal of the Statue of Peace
-The Japanese Government must immediately cease its insolent and vicious sabotage and attempted removal of the Statue of Peace!-
-The city of Berlin should permanently maintain the Statue of Peace, a symbol of women's human rights that calls attention to wartime sexual violence!-
◼ Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 2:30 p.m. (KST)
◼ Location: In front of the Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Korea
◼ Organizers: The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, civilian society organizations and citizens
◼ Organized by: The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan
Program
Moderator: Kyong-Hee Han (Secretary General of the Korean Council)
1. Statement
2. Letter reading
3. Performance: Letter Delivery
_____________________________________
Appendix 2. A Letter from Lee Yong-Soo (Victim-survivor and Women's Rights Activist)
(English Translation)
The Statue of Peace, established in the world, protects each country,
and they are a symbol of world peace without war.
We must not remove the Statue of Peace in Berlin.
I desperately ask you,
Please protect the Statue of Peace.
May 22, 2024,
Lee, Yong-Soo
_____________________________________
Appendix 3. A Letter from Nataly Jung-Hwa Han (Chair of Korea Verband): Translated in German
Sehr geehrter Herr Botschafter Schmidt,
Die Äußerungen zur „Friedensstatue“ in der Presseerklärung des Regierenden Bürgermeisters von Berlin, Kai Wegner (CDU), sind für unseren Verein, den Korea Verband e.V. in Berlin, nicht hinnehmbar.
Die japanische Regierung hat seit ihrer Absichtserklärung, die Friedensstatue weltweit zu entfernen, unaufhörlich Einfluss auf politische Entscheidungen und Prozesse in verschiedenen Ländern genommen. Den Höhepunkt der Lobbyarbeit der japanischen Regierung im deutschen Kontext stellte das Treffen zwischen Premierminister Kishida und Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz am 28. April 2022 dar, bei dem Kishida die Entfernung der Friedensstatue von Scholz forderte. Bundeskanzler Scholz erklärte, dass Kunst im Stadtraum in Berlin unter die Zuständigkeit des Bezirks fällt, weshalb sich die Bundesregierung nicht einmischen kann. Scholz‘ Standpunkt steht deutlich dem Statement des Regierenden Bürgermeisters von Berlin gegenüber, der den Eindruck erweckt, dass er selbst eine „Veränderung“ in Bezug auf die Friedensstatue herbeiführen kann. Seinen Vorschlag, die japanische Botschaft in die Diskussion über die Errichtung eines Denkmals für Opfer von Gewalt gegen Frauen einzubeziehen, werten wir als äußerst gefährlich. Bisher hat der Regierende Bürgermeister noch nicht das Gespräch mit uns gesucht, obwohl wir schon seit Jahren sowohl mit der Friedensstatue als auch mit unserem “Museum der Trostfrauen” in Berlin aktiv sind.
Die aktuelle Debatte möchte ich als Anlass nehmen, Ihnen anhand eines konkreten Beispiels zu erklären, warum die Friedensstatue nicht als Symbol oder Verursacher für Konflikte betrachtet werden darf. So gibt es in der japanischen Stadt Fukushima ein Holocaust-Erziehungszentrum und ein Denkmal für Anne Frank.
Das Holocaust-Erziehungszentrum Otsuka erklärt: „Unser Ziel ist es, dass Besucher, insbesondere Kinder und Jugendliche, darüber nachdenken, wie wir Frieden in der Welt schaffen können.“ Dies entspricht ebenfalls dem Zweck und der Botschaft unseres Vereines und der Bedeutung der Friedensstatue.
https://www.dw.com/de/japan-faszination-für-anne-frank/a-18289610
Warum wird die Friedensstatue als ein Denkmal des Konfliktes angesehen, während die Statue von Anne Frank als ein Denkmal, das sich gegen die Wiederholung der Geschichte ausspricht, anerkannt wird? Die Friedensstatue wird aufgrund des Widerstands der Täterregierung Japan als „problematisches“ Denkmal betrachtet. In der jetzigen Situation unterstützen deutsche Politiker die japanische Regierung in ihrer Perspektive, obwohl Japan ein Täterland war.
Die Bezirksbürgermeisterin von Berlin-Mitte, Stefanie Remlinger, wünschte sich zu Beginn ihrer Amtszeit, dass die Friedensstatue dauerhaft erhalten bleibt. Sie erkannte an, dass die Statue ein Symbol gegen sexuelle Gewalt ist und verstand sie als universelles Denkmal für Frauenrechte und die Zukunft. Aber nun wird die Statue als Symbol für Konflikte anstatt für Frieden dargestellt und droht wegen der „guten diplomatischen Beziehungen“ zu Japan entfernt zu werden.
Der Korea Verband ist ein koreanisch-deutscher Verein, der seit seiner Gründung im Jahr 1990 große Anstrengungen unternommen hat, um koreanische Geschichte und Politik in der deutschen Gesellschaft korrekt zu vermitteln. Als Organisation in der Migrationsgesellschaft hat sich der Korea Verband über die traditionelle Integrationspolitik hinaus für die Schaffung einer vielfältigen Gesellschaft eingesetzt, in der Menschen mit ganz unterschiedlichen Identitäten friedlich zusammenleben. Derzeit führt der Korea Verband verschiedene Bildungsprojekte über die Friedensstatue und das “Museum der Trostfrauen” durch, weshalb uns nicht nur Bürger und Organisationen aus Deutschland, sondern auch aus der ganzen Welt besuchen kommen. Der Korea Verband greift Japan nicht einseitig an, sondern thematisiert zum Beispiel ebenso KZ- und Wehrmachtsbordelle im Dritten Reich, die Probleme der Sex-Workerinnen in US-Militärbasen in Korea, und die Beteiligung der koreanischen Armee am Vietnamkrieg. Die Friedensstatue ist ein sehr wichtiger Grundpfeiler unserer Bildungsarbeit.
Die Friedensstatue wurde nicht nur errichtet, um an die Verbrechen des Täterstaates Japan zu erinnern, sondern auch um das Schweigen zu brechen und den Mut der Überlebenden zu würdigen, die von Opfern zu Menschenrechtsaktivisten wurden, um den Teufelskreis der sexuellen Gewalt gegen Frauen, der bis heute andauert, zu durchbrechen. Deutschland betrachtet Japan derzeit als Wertepartner und Korea ebenso. Als eine zivilgesellschaftliche Organisation, die unter dem Druck der japanischen Regierung steht, bitten wir die deutsche Botschaft darum, sich für folgende Punkte stark zu machen:
1. Das deutsche Außenministerium soll die japanische Regierung und die japanische Botschaft auffordern, ihre Lobbyaktivitäten in der deutschen Gesellschaft zu stoppen.
2. Der Regierende Bürgermeister von Berlin soll aufgefordert werden, die Zuständigkeit des Bezirks Berlin-Mitte für Kunst im Stadtraum nicht zu verletzen.
3. Die deutschen Politiker und Beamten sollen darüber informiert werden, dass die Friedensstatue ein transnationales Symbol für die Frauenrechte ist.
4. Die Geschichte der koreanischen Gemeinschaft, die zur Entwicklung der deutschen Wirtschaft und Kultur beigetragen hat, soll als Teil der deutschen Geschichte anerkannt werden.
Mit ausgezeichneter Hochachtung
Berlin, den 21. Mai 2024
Nataly Jung-Hwa Han
Vorsitzende des Korea Verbands e.V.
_____________________________________
Appendix 4. A Letter from the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance fro the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, Civilian Society Organizations and Citizens
Dear German Ambassador Georg Schmidt,
I am writing to express the outrage and dismay of people worldwide working for peace and human rights. Please ensure this open letter reaches the German federal government officials and the Chancellor.
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. Even more surprising, Mayor Wegner stated that he was “in favor of monuments against violence against women, but that there should not be unilateral representations” 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.”
In what authority are the federal government and the Japanese ambassador to Germany involved in the “discussion” regarding removing the Statue of Peace established by German citizens? Does it mean that the pressure from the Japanese government to remove the monument is so intense that even the German federal government should be involved? More fundamentally, what is controversial to whom? By "unilateral," does it mean against the Japanese government's position of denying and distorting war crimes? How Germany, a country that has reflected on the war crimes committed by Nazi Germany in World War II, realizing its fault in the historical past, and the Mayor of Berlin, a city that also suffered the pain of division as a result of war, just like Korean Peninsula could say such things?
We are appalled that these remarks are coming from Germany, a country that is often credited with having succeeded in closing its past with its own Holocaust memorials and foundations, and we express our strong disapproval of the Berlin mayor's comments.
The Berlin mayor's comments are likely not unrelated to the Japanese government's relentless campaign to sabotage and remove the Statue of Peace. We recognize this relates to the Japanese government's relentless political maneuver to remove and disturb the Statue of Peace. Japanese government’s hysterical reaction to the Peace Statue was already revealed in the “2015 Korea-Japan “Comfort Women” Agreement”, which was suddenly announced on December 28, 2015. As part of the agreement, the Japanese government demanded the removal of the Statue of Peace in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. At the same time, through shadow negotiations, the Japanese government expressed concern about the Peace Statutes in “third-party countries” and urged the Korean government to persuade civilian society organizations to remove them. Since then, the Japanese government and municipalities have made all efforts to remove the statues, including the San Francisco and Glendale peace statues in the U.S. In April 2022, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida personally demanded that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz remove the statues during his visit to Japan. When Buenos Aires, Argentina, tried to establish a Peace Statute, pressure was exerted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), suspension of economic cooperation, and obstruction of UNESCO’s recognition, ultimately leading to its removal. In March 2023, the Peace Statue at Kassel University in Germany, which the student union had established, was suddenly removed, coinciding with the announcement of a “third-party reimbursement plan for forced mobilization victims.”
The Statue of Peace is a universal symbol of women’s rights that calls attention to wartime sexual violence that still occurs in many parts of the world. It is a voluntary action for peace and a pledge by citizens worldwide not to repeat history. Then why is the Japanese government overreacting, especially to the Statue of Peace? It’s because the Japanese government wants to cover up their wrongdoings while ignoring the historical truth. Since the 1930s, the Japanese government has perpetrated horrific sexual violence against countless women in the Asia-Pacific region. Yet, it has refused to acknowledge the truth, officially apologize by admitting the fact, or provide legal reparations. They even distort history textbooks to cover up their crimes and attack victims as “voluntary prostitutes.” For years, the international community, including the United Nations, has been calling for redress through numerous recommendations and reports, but they are ignoring it shamelessly.
Under these circumstances, if the Mayor of Berlin and the German federal government joined with the Japanese government to remove the Peace Statue, Germany would lose all the credibility it had built up in the international community. It will be seen as a deceitful country that is only interested in crimes committed against Europeans within Europe and overlooks the horrific crimes Japan has committed against Asian women. Above all, it would be a huge stain on the history of German democracy if it caved into the Japanese government’s pressure and took down the Statue of Peace erected by its citizens.
Will Germany follow the path of regression, refusing to acknowledge or reflect on the Japanese government’s past full of denial on war crime, or will it lead the way for peace and human rights based on its past acts of reflection? The attempt to remove the Berlin Peace Statue will be a litmus test.
We, the citizens of Korea who stand with the Korean Council and civilian society organizations, strongly condemn the Mayor of Berlin’s statement and call on the city of Berlin to take the lead in the permanent installation of the statue, protecting the historical significance and its future implication for peace. We demand Germany be a country that is not afraid of pressure and appeasement from the Japanese government but rather of citizens who try to defend and preserve the history, historical justice and human rights of the countless victims and survivors of wartime sexual violence around the world.
May 22, 2024
The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, 176 civilian society organizations and 1878 citizens
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Appendix 5. Photos from the Press Conference