Japan expresses regret over push for permanent installation of 'Berlin Girl Statue'... Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it does not help resolve comfort women issue

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Repeatedly Points Out "Actions Contrary to Taking Responsibility, Apology, and Reflection"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 3rd, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued its first official statement regarding the Japanese government's expression of regret over the Berlin Mitte District Council's resolution to permanently preserve the Statue of Peace, stating that it is an action that does not help resolve the comfort women issue and goes against apology and reflection.

On the 3rd, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Choi Young-sam said at a regular briefing, "The installation of overseas statues of peace, etc., has been promoted based on voluntary movements by the local community and civil society as a memorial and educational effort regarding the universal human rights violation of wartime sexual violence," and made this clear.

He pointed out that it not only does not help resolve the comfort women issue but also is a move that goes against taking responsibility, apology, and reflection.

Spokesperson Choi added, "As our government has stated several times, any artificial removal involving the Japanese government does not help resolve the issue of Japanese military comfort women victims and also goes against the spirit of responsibility, apology, and reflection that Japan itself has declared."

On the 1st (local time), the Berlin Mitte District Council held a plenary session and passed a resolution to permanently install the Statue of Peace. Frank Werterman, chairman of the council (Green Party), stated, "The resolution to preserve the Statue of Peace, which commemorates victims of sexual violence, was passed by majority vote."

In the vote, 31 council members participated, with 24 in favor and 5 opposed. Progressive parties participating in the Berlin coalition government, including the Social Democratic Party, the Green Party, and the Left Party, voted in favor. The opposition votes came from the Christian Democratic Union and the Free Democratic Party. The resolution jointly proposed by the Green Party and the Left Party includes provisions for the council's participation in finding ways for the Statue of Peace to remain in Mitte District.

Tilo Urhiss, a Left Party council member, explained the proposal, saying, "The Statue of Peace is based on the concrete historical fact of sexual violence by the Japanese military against Korean women during World War II," emphasizing, "Sexual violence in war or military conflict is not a one-time issue but a structural problem, and the Statue of Peace is precisely that symbol."

He added, "We hope that during the discussion process for the permanent installation of the statue, this structural issue will be highlighted," and "We hope the Statue of Peace can find a place in our district where its dignity can be preserved, and that discussions on sexual violence against women will also take place."

The resolution also includes withdrawing the demolition order for the Statue of Peace and extending the installation deadline, originally set for August 14 next year, by six weeks until the end of September next year.

In response, on the 2nd, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu stated at a press conference held at the Prime Minister's Office that the Berlin Mitte District Council's adoption of the resolution for the permanent installation of the statue was "very regrettable as it is incompatible with the Japanese government's position and past responses." He added, "We will continue to approach various parties to explain our (Japan's) position and simultaneously demand the prompt removal of the statue."

Previously, Japan had been lobbying extensively to remove the statue, including Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu requesting its removal during a video call with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

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