"Denial of History Forces, Distortion Continues" 30th Anniversary of the Wednesday Demonstrations

Weekly Wednesday Protests Since January 1992: 1,525 Occurrences

On the 5th, the 1525th Wednesday Demonstration for the resolution of the Japanese military sexual slavery issue is being held near the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The Wednesday Demonstrations, which first began in 1992, will mark their 30th anniversary on the 8th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The regular Wednesday demonstrations, which began to resolve the issue of Japanese military comfort women, have reached their 30th anniversary.

On the 5th, the 1525th regular Wednesday demonstration commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Wednesday demonstrations for the resolution of the Japanese military sexual slavery issue was held near the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The Wednesday demonstrations have been held every Wednesday since January 8, 1992, coinciding with the visit of then Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa to Korea. The Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeondae) stated in a press release that day, "It has been an astonishing time, a remarkable journey, and an unbelievable period," adding, "For 30 years, the street in front of the Japanese Embassy has become a place of meeting and communication, understanding and empathy, memory and education, mutual care, and mutual empowerment. Despite 30 years passing, the Japanese government has only regressed without offering an apology, and the expanded domestic and international historical denial forces are damaging the trap of truth with language of denial and distortion," they criticized.

On the 5th, the 1525th Wednesday Demonstration for the resolution of the Japanese military sexual slavery issue is being held near the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The Wednesday Demonstrations, which first began in 1992, will mark their 30th anniversary on the 8th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Photos reflecting on the 30-year history of the Wednesday demonstrations were also exhibited at the site. Participants held yellow butterfly hand signs symbolizing the souls of the deceased comfort women victims and placards urging the Japanese government to apologize. Grandmother Lee Ok-seon said in a video, "In Japan, they say they never forcibly took us, but we want them to honestly admit it. That is true reflection." Grandmother Lee Yong-soo also emphasized in the video, "Rain or snow, cold or heat, I am so grateful to see people come out and speak on the podium regardless of the ground conditions," and added, "The comfort women issue must be resolved through the UN Convention Against Torture." Solidarity speeches from domestic and international supporters also followed.

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