"Freedom of Personal Expression" vs "Mental Victory?" Male Statue Bowing to the Girl Statue, What Do You Think?

Male Sculpture Kneeling Before Girl Statue Sparks Korea-Japan Relations Debate
Japanese Politicians Criticize as Diplomatic Insult, Claiming It Symbolizes PM Shinzo Abe
Sculptor States "No Specific Person... Just a Sculpture"

The sculpture "Eternal Atonement" erected within the Korea Native Plant Garden in Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] A male statue kneeling in front of the Girl Statue has become a hot topic in both South Korea and Japan. Suspicions have arisen that the male figure symbolizes Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, leading to criticism that it is disrespectful to a foreign head of state. Even Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary expressed strong regret, saying, "It is unacceptable."

However, since the statue is privately owned and funded by an individual, and the creator has stated that it does not depict a specific person, there are claims that it should not become a diplomatic issue.

The sculpture titled "Eternal Atonement" is installed at the Korea Native Plant Garden, a private botanical garden located in Pyeongchang County, Gangwon Province. The statue depicts a man kneeling in front of the Girl Statue, which symbolizes the Japanese military comfort women, in an act of atonement.

Earlier on the 26th, the botanical garden issued a press release explaining, "The statue 'Eternal Atonement,' depicting a Japanese leader kneeling before the Girl Statue, will have its unveiling ceremony in August."

The "Eternal Atonement" statue was reported by Japanese media such as Mainichi Shimbun and Sankei Shimbun on the 28th, sparking criticism in Japanese political circles. It was argued that installing a statue that insults a head of government is a serious diplomatic offense.

On the same day, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, responding to a reporter's question about the statue of Prime Minister Abe installed at a Korean private botanical garden, said, "If the report is true, it will have a decisive impact on Korea-Japan relations," and expressed strong regret, stating, "I think it is unacceptable under international protocol."

Yamauchi Natsuo, leader of Komeito, the junior coalition partner of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, also said at a press conference, "I don't know the details, but it is regrettable that things are worsening in the opposite direction (to resolving the issue)."

Fukuyama Tetsuro, secretary-general of the Constitutional Democratic Party, the main opposition party, said, "I strongly protest with deep regret," and emphasized, "The Korean government must promptly remove the statue."

Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan / Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, there are also opinions that the privately created statue should not be hastily escalated into a diplomatic issue. Kim Chang-ryul, director of the Korea Native Plant Garden, which erected the statue, explained in an interview with 'No Cut News' on the 29th, "(The statue) was made with my own money four years ago in 2016," adding, "There was no special intention; it is just one of the sculptures in the garden. It was just something I molded in my mind."

When asked if the statue depicts Prime Minister Abe, he replied, "No," and added, "I even said it would be better if it were Prime Minister Abe."

Given this situation, opinions are divided domestically regarding the statue.

Office worker A (28) said, "Since the statue was installed by a private individual for personal reasons, government interference from either country would violate freedom of expression," and added, "It seems like Japan is trying to exaggerate this as a big controversy."

Another office worker B (31) said, "Isn't it true that the Japanese government has not apologized for the comfort women issue?" and added, "The creator already said it is not Prime Minister Abe, but if the Japanese government feels that way, I can only say the thief feels guilty."

On the other hand, there was criticism that the installation of the statue does not help improve Korea-Japan relations or resolve the comfort women issue. Office worker C (28) said, "I don't understand why they made a statue depicting such a humiliating act. Was our goal to make the Japanese leader kneel before the Girl Statue?" and criticized, "Isn't this what you call 'mental victory'?"

Meanwhile, D (30) said, "The reason the Girl Statue gained broad support was that it focused on the victims themselves without overly emphasizing conflicts with specific groups or countries," and pointed out, "But depicting an act of 'receiving a bow' there is simply unnecessary."

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

Meanwhile, the government also expressed concern over the controversy surrounding the statue. On the 28th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying, "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."

The Korea Native Plant Garden canceled the unveiling ceremony originally scheduled for the 10th of next month. However, the statue itself will continue to be displayed at the garden.

Director Kim said in a radio interview, "I can't just put it in a warehouse because neighbors complain about something installed in my front yard," and added, "I will just leave it (at the garden) so that people can see it and take pictures."

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