On August 14, the Korean Council held the 13th Butterfly Festival near Anguk Station, Seoul, in commemoration of the International Memorial Day for the Japanese Military "Comfort Women." The day, designated in 2012 at the 11th Asian Solidarity Conference for Resolving the Japanese Military "Comfort Women" Issue, honors the courage of Kim Hak-sun (who first publicly testified to the Japanese military sexual slavery on August 14, 1991) and other survivors. This year’s festival, themed Our Hope Ignites in Your Light, highlighted the enduring light of survivors, citizen solidarity, and the ongoing pursuit of equality, peace, democracy, and human rights.
Before the festival, from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m., nine organizations, including the Korean Council, operated citizen participation booths. Activities included butterfly fan decoration (Gyeonggi Peace NABI), fundraising goods and calligraphy & caricature support preservation of Dongducheon’s Old STD Management Center, a petition campaign for UNESCO recognition of Sado Mine and democracy/flag exhibitions (Museum of Japanese Colonial History in Korea), handkerchief-making in honor of survivors (Seoul Women’s Association Feminist Student Union), fundraising goods from Palestine (BDS KOREA), knot keyring-making with beads and butterfly pendants (Yongsan Nanum House, Anglican Church of Korea), and a global citizen petition campaign against discrimination toward Korean schools (Mongdangpencil (PeoplewhoWalkTogetherwithChosun schools).
The Korean Council also presented new merchandise, including T-shirts, notebooks/sticker sets, bandana handkerchiefs, and four handmade embroidered keyrings (produced by the Palestinian Trauma Healing Center supported by the Butterfly Fund). Additionally, the Korean edition of "The Japanese Military 'Comfort Women' Recognized by the Judiciary" was presented.
Despite occasional rain and hot weather, many international citizens participated, raising awareness of the Japanese military sexual slavery issue. Memorable moments included mothers explaining the issue to children, a Palestinian family joining chants of Free, Free, Palestine, and an impromptu performance by the student group Seoul Women’s Association Feminist Student Union to the songs Like a Rock and We Will Go.
The festival officially opened at 7:00 p.m., with moderator Kim Ha-na (Korean Christian Presbyterian Women’s Committee) and a representative from the Bomdol Center, followed by a moment of silence. The first part, The Meaning of Memorial Day, began with a performance by Hope-tomorrows international student percussion group Miracle Sound. It featured video messages from survivors, greetings from Lee Na-young, Chair of the Korean Council, and remarks from Democratic Party Park Ji-hye and Progressive Party Son Sol.
Lee emphasized remembering and recording the resilience and courage of survivors, encouraging participants to fill the future with hope through strong, beautiful solidarity. Park Ji-hye pledged that the National Assembly would actively seek full apologies and legal compensation from the Japanese government. Son Sol highlighted that society’s neglect of attacks on the Statue of Peace fosters hatred and insurrection, and promised to pursue all legal measures to remove hate speech.
The Memorial Day theme video conveyed that the light sent forth by survivors informs all hearts, inspiring the creation of a peaceful, war-free world.
Part two, Your Light, began with performances by students from Seongmisan School (Butterfly Wind and We Are One). A solidarity video, What Does Light Mean to Me?, showcased messages from 16 domestic and international organizations, including women’s associations, student clubs, political parties, and peace networks. The segment concluded with a dance performance, Moth to Flame and Do Not Lose to the World, by volunteers from Shadow (Emergency Action Volunteer Group).
Part three opened with a video combining paintings by artist Han Seong-won depicting survivors with narration by Korean Council activist Gamja. Musical performances followed, including Imagine, Morning Dew, and Into the New World by Sihammyu (Musical Actors with Citizens). Eleven organizations then read the 13th International Memorial Day Declaration, reaffirming commitment to justice and solidarity.
The festival concluded with 600 citizens and waving flags joining the Peace NABI Network’s We Will Go dance. Participants, including those who learned the choreography during the winter outdoor events, stood together and performed, symbolizing the enduring light of solidarity in the face of war, sexual violence, discrimination, and threats to democracy. The event reaffirmed participants’ commitment to advancing human rights and peace, honoring survivors’ legacy. We extend our gratitude to all participants and to HUE Management for supporting the stage, sound, and video production.
On August 14, the Korean Council held the 13th Butterfly Festival near Anguk Station, Seoul, in commemoration of the International Memorial Day for the Japanese Military "Comfort Women." The day, designated in 2012 at the 11th Asian Solidarity Conference for Resolving the Japanese Military "Comfort Women" Issue, honors the courage of Kim Hak-sun (who first publicly testified to the Japanese military sexual slavery on August 14, 1991) and other survivors. This year’s festival, themed Our Hope Ignites in Your Light, highlighted the enduring light of survivors, citizen solidarity, and the ongoing pursuit of equality, peace, democracy, and human rights.
Before the festival, from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m., nine organizations, including the Korean Council, operated citizen participation booths. Activities included butterfly fan decoration (Gyeonggi Peace NABI), fundraising goods and calligraphy & caricature support preservation of Dongducheon’s Old STD Management Center, a petition campaign for UNESCO recognition of Sado Mine and democracy/flag exhibitions (Museum of Japanese Colonial History in Korea), handkerchief-making in honor of survivors (Seoul Women’s Association Feminist Student Union), fundraising goods from Palestine (BDS KOREA), knot keyring-making with beads and butterfly pendants (Yongsan Nanum House, Anglican Church of Korea), and a global citizen petition campaign against discrimination toward Korean schools (Mongdangpencil (PeoplewhoWalkTogetherwithChosun schools).
Despite occasional rain and hot weather, many international citizens participated, raising awareness of the Japanese military sexual slavery issue. Memorable moments included mothers explaining the issue to children, a Palestinian family joining chants of Free, Free, Palestine, and an impromptu performance by the student group Seoul Women’s Association Feminist Student Union to the songs Like a Rock and We Will Go.
The festival officially opened at 7:00 p.m., with moderator Kim Ha-na (Korean Christian Presbyterian Women’s Committee) and a representative from the Bomdol Center, followed by a moment of silence. The first part, The Meaning of Memorial Day, began with a performance by Hope-tomorrows international student percussion group Miracle Sound. It featured video messages from survivors, greetings from Lee Na-young, Chair of the Korean Council, and remarks from Democratic Party Park Ji-hye and Progressive Party Son Sol.
Lee emphasized remembering and recording the resilience and courage of survivors, encouraging participants to fill the future with hope through strong, beautiful solidarity. Park Ji-hye pledged that the National Assembly would actively seek full apologies and legal compensation from the Japanese government. Son Sol highlighted that society’s neglect of attacks on the Statue of Peace fosters hatred and insurrection, and promised to pursue all legal measures to remove hate speech.
The Memorial Day theme video conveyed that the light sent forth by survivors informs all hearts, inspiring the creation of a peaceful, war-free world.
Part two, Your Light, began with performances by students from Seongmisan School (Butterfly Wind and We Are One). A solidarity video, What Does Light Mean to Me?, showcased messages from 16 domestic and international organizations, including women’s associations, student clubs, political parties, and peace networks. The segment concluded with a dance performance, Moth to Flame and Do Not Lose to the World, by volunteers from Shadow (Emergency Action Volunteer Group).
Part three opened with a video combining paintings by artist Han Seong-won depicting survivors with narration by Korean Council activist Gamja. Musical performances followed, including Imagine, Morning Dew, and Into the New World by Sihammyu (Musical Actors with Citizens). Eleven organizations then read the 13th International Memorial Day Declaration, reaffirming commitment to justice and solidarity.