On December 30, 2025, the War and Women’s Human Rights Museum opened its special exhibition, “History Denialism: War Memory, Memory Wars,” accompanied by an opening event.
The event was moderated by Kim Dong-hee, Director of the War and Women’s Human Rights Museum, and featured opening remarks by Lee Na-young, Chairperson of the Korean Council, followed by an introduction to the exhibition by Banghak, an activist from the Korean Council who curated the exhibition. Afterward, attendees toured the exhibition, shared their reflections, and left messages in a designated space within the gallery. The opening event was attended by board members of the Korean Council, including Lee Jun-sik and Kang Hye-jung, as well as supporters and visitors.
This exhibition critically examines the international spread of history denialism surrounding the Japanese military sexual slavery, focusing on its key actors, arguments, and strategies. At the same time, it highlights the history of survivors and civil society solidarity that have fought for justice and human rights. Through this perspective, the exhibition reflects on how the memories and truths of survivors of wartime sexual violence and other marginalized minorities have been excluded or erased, the consequences of such erasure, and the dangers that history denialism poses to contemporary society. It also invites visitors to consider our shared responsibilities and tasks in confronting history denialism today.
In her remarks, Chairperson Lee Na-young pointed out that organized far-right history denialist movements in Korea, the United States, and Japan continue to expand and intensify around the issue of the Japanese military sexual slavery. She emphasized that history denialism is not merely a difference of opinion but constitutes secondary victimization and an ongoing form of violence against survivors. She further explained that memory must go beyond commemoration, functioning as a political and ethical practice to confront present-day discrimination and hatred and to prevent future wars.
Curator Banghak explained that the exhibition was designed to reveal the structural dynamics of history denialism and to show how its language intersects with contemporary emotions and practices of hatred and discrimination. The exhibition seeks to bridge the gap between those who may be unfamiliar with historical contexts but aware of discriminatory language, and those well-versed in history yet less familiar with how hate speech operates in everyday public spaces.
Banghak also shared insights into the exhibition design. The red walls, inspired by the colors used in the artwork of survivor Kang Deok-kyung, symbolize the structurally organized nature of history denialism formed within the postwar international order. The green walls represent hatred and discrimination permeating contemporary society, metaphorically depicted as “mold.” The exhibition’s spatial design, beginning in a confined area and gradually expanding, embodies these conceptual concerns and invites visitors to experience them directly.
The exhibition runs through April 2026. We warmly invite you.
Exhibition Information
Dates: December 30, 2025 – April 30, 2026
Venue: 1st Floor, War and Women’s Human Rights Museum (Visitor Information Link)
Organizers: The Korean Council; War and Women’s Human Rights Museum
Inquiries: +82-2-392-5252 (War and Women’s Human Rights Museum)
On December 30, 2025, the War and Women’s Human Rights Museum opened its special exhibition, “History Denialism: War Memory, Memory Wars,” accompanied by an opening event.
The event was moderated by Kim Dong-hee, Director of the War and Women’s Human Rights Museum, and featured opening remarks by Lee Na-young, Chairperson of the Korean Council, followed by an introduction to the exhibition by Banghak, an activist from the Korean Council who curated the exhibition. Afterward, attendees toured the exhibition, shared their reflections, and left messages in a designated space within the gallery. The opening event was attended by board members of the Korean Council, including Lee Jun-sik and Kang Hye-jung, as well as supporters and visitors.
Curator Banghak explained that the exhibition was designed to reveal the structural dynamics of history denialism and to show how its language intersects with contemporary emotions and practices of hatred and discrimination. The exhibition seeks to bridge the gap between those who may be unfamiliar with historical contexts but aware of discriminatory language, and those well-versed in history yet less familiar with how hate speech operates in everyday public spaces.
Banghak also shared insights into the exhibition design. The red walls, inspired by the colors used in the artwork of survivor Kang Deok-kyung, symbolize the structurally organized nature of history denialism formed within the postwar international order. The green walls represent hatred and discrimination permeating contemporary society, metaphorically depicted as “mold.” The exhibition’s spatial design, beginning in a confined area and gradually expanding, embodies these conceptual concerns and invites visitors to experience them directly.
The exhibition runs through April 2026. We warmly invite you.
Exhibition Information
Dates: December 30, 2025 – April 30, 2026
Venue: 1st Floor, War and Women’s Human Rights Museum (Visitor Information Link)
Organizers: The Korean Council; War and Women’s Human Rights Museum
Inquiries: +82-2-392-5252 (War and Women’s Human Rights Museum)