Removal of Im Oksang's Works Convicted of Sexual Crimes "Welcome"

People Power Party Women Legislators' Council: "Seoul City Must Continue to Remove 'Dirty Hands' Artwork Without Exception"

The Women’s Council of the People Power Party in the Seoul Metropolitan Council issued a statement on the 11th, welcoming Seoul City's decision to remove the works of artist Im Ok-sang from public buildings.

They emphasized that maintaining the works of an artist who was convicted in court of sexual harassment in a place of remembrance that empathizes with the pain of the comfort women grandmothers is a violation of human rights and a sin against history.

They argued that the past efforts by various local governments to erase traces of Ko Un, who admitted to sexual harassment, stemmed from a social consensus to prevent secondary victimization and to not tolerate sexual violence crimes.

Therefore, it is a natural decision that works created by the dirty hands of someone who committed sexual crimes abusing their position cannot be openly exhibited before citizens, and that removing such filth from the sacred place honoring the comfort women is something Seoul City must rightfully do.

Additionally, the Women’s Council of the People Power Party stated, "It is very regrettable that some civic groups, caught up in factionalism, unconditionally defend their own side, and we demand that some women’s organizations approach this issue from the perspective of citizens who say ‘Let us not be ashamed of history,’ rather than engaging in divisive logic."

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