'Male Statue Kneeling Before the Girl Statue' Japan Says "Decisive Impact on Korea-Japan Relations"

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The sculpture "Eternal Atonement" located within the Korea Native Plant Garden in Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province. Kim Chang-ryeol, the director who privately funded the creation of the sculpture, explained on the 28th that the male figure in the sculpture was not intended to specifically represent Shinzo Abe, the former Prime Minister of Japan. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] A sculpture depicting a man kneeling in front of the Statue of a Girl and atoning has been installed at the Korea Native Plant Garden in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, sparking controversy. The creator of the sculpture stated that "compared to Japan's wrongdoing, this is nothing."

The Japanese government expressed displeasure with the sculpture and voiced concerns about Korea-Japan relations.

On the 28th, Kim Chang-ryeol (72), director of the Korea Native Plant Garden, said in a phone interview with JoongAng Ilbo, "The Japanese government may react sensitively or feel humiliated upon seeing the statue. However, compared to their mistakes, this is nothing. If Japan does not deny history, there would be no shame."

Regarding the Japanese government's criticism, Director Kim said, "It's just a small statue made in the plant garden, but if Japan makes an issue out of it, that is their freedom," adding, "I never intended for this work, which expresses my thoughts, to become a social or political issue from the start."

Director Kim added, "I am not boasting about making it, but it has value to see. If people share the value and meaning, it will be meaningful. If viewed negatively, there is no end and no limit. I hope people will look at it positively. My simple wish is that people stop by on their way holding their children's hands and just take a look once."

The sculpture "Eternal Atonement" located within the Korea Native Plant Garden in Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province. Kim Chang-ryeol, the director who privately funded the sculpture, explained on the 28th that the man depicted in the sculpture was not specifically intended to represent Shinzo Abe, the former Prime Minister of Japan. Photo by Yonhap News

The sculpture named 'Yeongwonhan Sokje' (A heartfelt apology) depicts a girl in hanbok sitting on a tree stump with her hands folded on her knees, and a man in a suit kneeling and bowing in front of her in atonement.

However, controversy arose as some media identified the man as former Prime Minister Abe.

On the 28th, the Japanese government commented on the so-called 'Abe Apology Statue' reported to be installed at a private plant garden in Korea, stating, "If the report is true, it will have a decisive impact on Korea-Japan relations."

Yoshihide Suga (菅義偉), Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, said at a regular press conference that morning in response to related questions, "We have not confirmed the facts yet, but I think such things are not allowed under international protocol."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed concern about the sculpture. In a statement, the ministry said, "We refrain from making specific comments on private events unrelated to the government," but added, "However, the government believes it is necessary to consider the aspect of international courtesy toward foreign leaders."

Meanwhile, the Korea Native Plant Garden had planned to hold an unveiling ceremony on the lawn within the garden on the 10th of next month to publicly display the sculpture, but canceled the scheduled ceremony amid the controversy.

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