Justice Memory Solidarity "This Grandmother's Press Conference Is Heartbreaking, The History of the Movement Must Not Be Distorted"

Watching This Grandmother's Press Conference with a Heavy Heart
Supporting Grandmothers Nationwide with Raised Funds

On March 11, in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, participants and officials from the Justice and Memory Foundation held the 1430th Wednesday Demonstration to resolve the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery, conducting the demonstration online to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeokyeondae, formerly the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan) issued a statement on the 8th regarding the press conference held by Grandma Lee Yong-soo, a victim of the Japanese military 'comfort women' system.

The Justice and Memory Foundation stated, "We watched Grandma Lee's press conference with a heavy heart. We apologize for causing pain to those who have supported and stood in solidarity with us," and added, "We want to clarify our position on any parts that were miscommunicated or could be misunderstood, as we believe the history of the movement created together with domestic and international citizens must not be damaged."

Founded in 1990, the organization announced that it has been operating a shelter for victims since 2003 and supports grandmothers living across the country.

In 1992, they established the 'National Movement Headquarters for the Living Fund for Comfort Women Grandmothers' and conducted fundraising activities, distributing 2.5 million won each to 62 victims at the time. Through advocacy for the enactment of support laws, they led to domestic legislation in 1993. In 1995, when the Japanese government attempted to resolve the issue through the 'Asian Women's Fund,' a public-private cooperative fund rather than official compensation, the organization raised funds domestically and internationally and distributed 44,125,000 won to victims residing both at home and abroad.

After the 2015 Korea-Japan agreement on the Japanese military 'comfort women' issue (2015 Korea-Japan Agreement), the money raised through citizens' donations was delivered as a women's human rights award of 100 million won per individual in the second half of 2017. Additionally, the funds have been used for producing various content and promotional projects, memorial projects including the construction of overseas peace monuments, publishing, and scholarship projects, as well as for demand protests.

The Justice and Memory Foundation said, "We will take this as an opportunity to reflect on whether there were any shortcomings in our activities," and added, "We humbly accept much criticism and reproach and will pioneer a new path for the future."

At a press conference held in Daegu the previous day, Grandma Lee criticized, "They take care of grandmothers who are with them as victims, but if they are not part of the organization, they don't care even if they are victims," and said, "I have been deceived and exploited for 30 years." She also stated, "During the 2015 Korea-Japan Agreement, 1 billion yen was coming from Japan, but only the representative (Yoon Mee-hyang) knew about it. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also at fault. The victims should have known about this, but only they knew."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.