Shelter Director Memorial Atmosphere at Wednesday Protest... "Media Still Active After Deceased's Death"

Lee Na-young, Chairperson of the Justice Memory Solidarity, is speaking at the "Regular Wednesday Demonstration for the Resolution of the Japanese Military Comfort Women Victims Issue" held on the 10th in front of the Embassy of Japan in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Next to her, there is a framed photo and a bouquet of flowers commemorating Son, the director of the Justice Solidarity Mapo-gu Shelter "Our House of Peace." Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Lee Na-young, chairperson of the Justice Memory Solidarity (Jeong-ui-yeon), expressed her condolences for the late Son Mo, director of the Justice Memory Solidarity’s Seoul Mapo-gu shelter 'Peaceful Our Home,' who passed away on the 6th during the Wednesday Demonstration. Chairperson Lee attended the Wednesday Demonstration immediately after Son’s funeral service that day.

On the 10th, at the 1443rd regular Wednesday Demonstration held in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Chairperson Lee delivered a progress report, calmly reading a prepared statement: “I respectfully pray for the deceased’s soul and express my gratitude to Director Son, who diligently cared for and served the surviving victims for 16 years.”

Chairperson Lee said, “(Director Son) struggled and felt anxious due to the prosecution’s excessive investigation, the media’s indiscriminate competition for coverage, and inhumane reporting practices, yet she prioritized the safety of the grandmothers staying at the shelter,” adding, “I am sorry we could not protect her until the end. It seems all these terrible events happened because of our shortcomings.” During her remarks, Chairperson Lee briefly reddened her eyes, appearing emotionally moved.

She also criticized the media, stating, “Even after the death of the deceased, the media engaged in various prejudgments, groundless speculation, and reckless illegal filming, continuing their indiscriminate reporting practices.”

On the 3rd, the "Regular Wednesday Demonstration for the Resolution of the Japanese Military Comfort Women Victims Issue" is being held in front of the Embassy of Japan in Seoul, Jongno-gu. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Finally, she said, “I sincerely thank everyone who sent resolute support for resolving the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery, remembered Director Son, and honorably stood together,” expressing gratitude to the civic groups and citizens who accompanied the funeral process of Director Son.

Lee Eun-sil, an executive committee member of the Korean Christian Women Theologians Association, which organized the Wednesday Demonstration that day, said, “We stand here with a more sorrowful and solemn heart than any other day in the 30 years of the Wednesday Demonstrations,” adding, “Whether we were close to her or not, witnessing such a person’s passing, we feel deeply saddened that such deaths continue to recur.”

Before the Wednesday Demonstration, at the same location, a press conference was held by an artist group advocating for the resolution of the Japanese military comfort women issue. Peace Art Action Dureok held a press conference at 10 a.m. in front of the Statue of Peace, stating, “The malicious distortion by some media toward the artist of the Statue of Peace belittles and mocks the creative activities of all artists,” and urged, “Do not damage the achievements of over 30 years of solidarity among grandmothers, activists, and numerous domestic and international artists with malicious intent to obstruct the resolution of the Japanese military comfort women issue.”

The Wednesday Demonstration that day was held simultaneously with a counter-rally organized by some conservative groups nearby, as in previous gatherings. During the demonstration, they shouted slogans such as “Resign Yoon Mi-hyang” and “Disband Justice Memory Solidarity,” continuing their criticism of the organization.

During this process, there were exchanges of loud voices and insults among some participants, but no physical clashes occurred.

Son Mo, who had worked at 'Peaceful Our Home' since 2004, was found dead in the bathroom of her home in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on the afternoon of the 6th. It is known that she expressed psychological distress after the prosecution raided the Mapo shelter on the 21st of last month. The police are accelerating their investigation into the circumstances of her death, having completed digital forensic work on Son’s mobile phone the previous afternoon.

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