The Essence of the Japanese Military 'Comfort Women' Victim Issue Must Not Be Obscured

Integrated Union Issues Statement on 12th Regarding Japanese Military 'Comfort Women' Victims: "Some Conservative Media Busy Undermining Efforts to Find Historical Meaning," Rebutting That "As Stated by Jeonguiyeon, Over the Past 30 Years, Brave Victims and Dedicated Activists and Researchers Created This Movement When No One Raised Issues"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The National Integrated Public Officials Labor Union (Chairman Lee Chung-jae·photo) issued a statement on the 12th, emphasizing that the historical essence of the issue concerning the Japanese military 'comfort women' victims, which has recently become controversial in relation to donations, "must not be obscured."

The Integrated Union stated, "Some conservative media outlets are busy tarnishing the efforts made so far to support the Japanese military 'comfort women' victims and to find historical significance," and argued, "As the Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeon) has revealed, when no one raised any issues for over 30 years, brave victims, dedicated activists, and researchers created this movement, which cannot be ignored."

They also emphasized, "The issue of Japanese military 'comfort women' victims is currently an invisible core topic in diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan," adding, "How this issue is viewed is also an important matter in building what is called a 'future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship.'"

The Integrated Union said, "Some conservative media, mobilizing pro-Japanese scholars, are even condemning criticism of Japan's anti-human rights behavior during the Japanese colonial period as if it were merely the product of emotional anti-Japanese sentiment," and stated, "It is difficult to understand such behavior by some conservative media while Japan still has not offered a sincere apology regarding the Japanese military 'comfort women' issue."

The Integrated Union stressed, "Until Japan sincerely apologizes for its past historical mistakes and moves toward a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship, a critical stance toward Japan's erroneous historical awareness must continue."

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(Statement) The Essence of the Japanese Military ‘Comfort Women’ Victim Issue Must Not Be Obscured

There is intense social interest regarding the issue of Japanese military 'comfort women' victims. On the 7th, Grandmother Lee Yong-soo, a victim of the Japanese military 'comfort women,' held a press conference claiming, "The Justice and Memory Foundation has never used the donations and funds for the grandmothers, and I do not know where the donations were spent," causing a stir. In response, the Justice and Memory Foundation explained, "The use of funds is verified and disclosed through regular accounting audits."

We believe that the historical essence of the Japanese military 'comfort women' victim issue must not be obscured in relation to this matter. When this issue surfaced, conservative media were busy tarnishing the efforts made to support the victims and to find historical significance. As the Justice and Memory Foundation has revealed, when no one raised any issues for over 30 years, brave victims, dedicated activists, and researchers created this movement, which cannot be ignored.

In fact, the issue of Japanese military 'comfort women' victims is currently an invisible core topic in diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan. How this issue is viewed is also an important matter in building what is called a 'future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship.'

Some conservative media, mobilizing pro-Japanese scholars, are even condemning criticism of Japan's anti-human rights behavior during the Japanese colonial period as if it were merely the product of emotional anti-Japanese sentiment. It is difficult to understand such behavior by some conservative media while Japan still has not offered a sincere apology regarding the Japanese military 'comfort women' issue.

It is clear that the fundraising and execution process for donations to Japanese military 'comfort women' victims must be transparent. A thorough investigation may be necessary in this regard. However, even so, the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery as part of the atrocities committed by the Japanese military during World War II must not be diluted. Until Japan sincerely apologizes for its past historical mistakes and moves toward a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship, a critical stance toward Japan's erroneous historical awareness must continue.

May 12, 2020

National Integrated Public Officials Labor Union

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