On June 11, the 31st anniversary of the enactment of "Act On Protection, Support, And Commemorative Projects For Sexual Slavery Victims For The Japanese Imperial Army (Japanese Military “Comfort Women” Victims Protection Act)" a press conference was held on the steps of National Assembly at 14:00 to condemn the terrorism against the Statue of Peace and urge amendment of the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” Victims Protection Act. The press conference was co-hosted by victims' support groups and civic organizations related to the Statue of Peace from across the country and 23 members of the National Assembly.
Despite the hot weather, more than 100 people, including survivor and women's rights activists Lee Yong-soo, 22nd National Assembly members, and citizens gathered to condemn the terrorism against the statue and history denial and to urge the amendment of the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” Victims Protection Act to uphold historical justice and strengthen victims protection. Following members of congress participated the press conference: Seo Young-kyo, Nam In-soon, Choi Min-hee, Lee Soo-jin, Ahn Tae-joon, Park Ji-hye, Kim Yong-man, Kim Jun-hyuk, Lee Jae-gang, and Lee Jae-kang from the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim Sun-min from the Rebuilding Korea Party, Yoon Jong-oh and Jeong Hye-kyung from the Progressive Party, and Han Chang-min from the Social Democratic Party.
Lee Yong-soo asked for "punishment for those who insulted the victims at the Wednesday Demonstration and cried out that the "Comfort women" are lies" and appealed to the National Assembly to "amend the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” Victims Protection Act."
Seo Young-kyo, a member of the supreme council of the Democratic Party of Korea, decided to join the Gender Equality and Family Committee and promised Lee Yong-soo that she would "do her best to pass the amendment" at the forefront so that "there will be no more tears in the eyes of victims."
Kim Sun-min, the Chair of the Women's Committee of the Rebuilding Korea Party, emphasized the importance of amending the act, noting that "the suffering of the victims is ongoing" and that"the statute is going through suffering domestically and internationally." She also points out that "under the current law, the terrorism against the statue cannot be punished because it is not a direct damage."
Representative Yoon Jong-oh of the Progressive Party criticized the recent behavior of history denialists, saying, "the role of the National Assembly is urgently needed," and expressed his willingness to amend the act.
Representative Han Chang-min of the Social Democratic Party said that we must take responsibility for "bringing victims to this place again" and that he will do his best "not let the pain of victims and yout remain."
Representative Nam In-soon of the Democratic Party of Korea pointed out that "the issue to all of us, and it leads to discrimination and hatred against the minorities of society," and vowed to amend the act.
Representative Kim Yong-man of the Democratic Party of Korea said he is "already reviewing the amendment in his office" and expressed his determination to propel the amendment as a member of the Gender Equality and Family Committee and descendant of an independence activist.
Kim Hyang-mi, the representative of Suwon Peace Butterfly, denounced the recent terrorist attacks on the Statue of Peace in Suwon by history denialists and the sabotage of the Suwon Wednesday Culture Festival. She emphasized that the first thing the 22nd National Assembly should do is to amend the act. Song Do-ja, the representative of Tongyeong Geoje Citizens' Group, said that as an activist who has been standing with the victims for more than 20 years, her blood is boiling, and emphasized the need to amend the act to stop the history denialists from crossing the line and protect the victims' honor. Finally, Lee Na-young, Chairperson of the Korean Council, and Lee Hye-sun, President of the Sejong Women's Association, read the press release.
After the press conference, Lee Yong-soo, Seo Young-kyo, a member of the Supreme Council, Nam In-soon, Kim Jun-hyuk, members of the National Assembly, and Lee Na-young, chairperson of the Korean Council had a meeting at the Democratic Party's representative office. In response to Lee Yong-soo's words that the act should be amended, the members of the National Assembly expressed their determination to ensure the amendment in the 22nd National Assembly. It is more important than ever due to the history denial, insults to victims, and terrorism against the statute. We would like to ask for your support.
Full video: https://www.youtube.com/live/T-BkdH8dt1U?si=QTsdnWAFxMLE5K9h
On June 11, the 31st anniversary of the enactment of "Act On Protection, Support, And Commemorative Projects For Sexual Slavery Victims For The Japanese Imperial Army (Japanese Military “Comfort Women” Victims Protection Act)" a press conference was held on the steps of National Assembly at 14:00 to condemn the terrorism against the Statue of Peace and urge amendment of the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” Victims Protection Act. The press conference was co-hosted by victims' support groups and civic organizations related to the Statue of Peace from across the country and 23 members of the National Assembly.
Despite the hot weather, more than 100 people, including survivor and women's rights activists Lee Yong-soo, 22nd National Assembly members, and citizens gathered to condemn the terrorism against the statue and history denial and to urge the amendment of the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” Victims Protection Act to uphold historical justice and strengthen victims protection. Following members of congress participated the press conference: Seo Young-kyo, Nam In-soon, Choi Min-hee, Lee Soo-jin, Ahn Tae-joon, Park Ji-hye, Kim Yong-man, Kim Jun-hyuk, Lee Jae-gang, and Lee Jae-kang from the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim Sun-min from the Rebuilding Korea Party, Yoon Jong-oh and Jeong Hye-kyung from the Progressive Party, and Han Chang-min from the Social Democratic Party.
Kim Sun-min, the Chair of the Women's Committee of the Rebuilding Korea Party, emphasized the importance of amending the act, noting that "the suffering of the victims is ongoing" and that"the statute is going through suffering domestically and internationally." She also points out that "under the current law, the terrorism against the statue cannot be punished because it is not a direct damage."
Representative Yoon Jong-oh of the Progressive Party criticized the recent behavior of history denialists, saying, "the role of the National Assembly is urgently needed," and expressed his willingness to amend the act.
Representative Han Chang-min of the Social Democratic Party said that we must take responsibility for "bringing victims to this place again" and that he will do his best "not let the pain of victims and yout remain."
Representative Nam In-soon of the Democratic Party of Korea pointed out that "the issue to all of us, and it leads to discrimination and hatred against the minorities of society," and vowed to amend the act.
Representative Kim Yong-man of the Democratic Party of Korea said he is "already reviewing the amendment in his office" and expressed his determination to propel the amendment as a member of the Gender Equality and Family Committee and descendant of an independence activist.
After the press conference, Lee Yong-soo, Seo Young-kyo, a member of the Supreme Council, Nam In-soon, Kim Jun-hyuk, members of the National Assembly, and Lee Na-young, chairperson of the Korean Council had a meeting at the Democratic Party's representative office. In response to Lee Yong-soo's words that the act should be amended, the members of the National Assembly expressed their determination to ensure the amendment in the 22nd National Assembly. It is more important than ever due to the history denial, insults to victims, and terrorism against the statute. We would like to ask for your support.
Full video: https://www.youtube.com/live/T-BkdH8dt1U?si=QTsdnWAFxMLE5K9h