Japanese Government: "Removal of Joseonin Memorial Monument is Gunma Prefecture's Decision"... Avoids Taking a Stance
Gunma Prefecture Begins Memorial Monument Removal Work Starting Today
The Japanese government avoided making a statement on the 29th regarding the commencement of the removal work of the memorial monument for Korean laborers in Gunma Prefecture.
On the same day, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, said at a regular press conference in response to a question that “there are concerns that the removal of this memorial monument may promote historical revisionism,” “This concerns a facility for which Gunma Prefecture granted permission to install on the site of a prefectural park, so it would be best to inquire with Gunma Prefecture for detailed information.”
When asked whether there is a risk that this could set a bad precedent affecting other Korean memorial facilities in Japan, Secretary Hayashi gave the same answer.
When asked again about the removal of the Gunma Prefecture memorial monument, Secretary Hayashi said, “As I mentioned earlier, Gunma Prefecture has made the decision,” and added, “I would like to refrain from commenting on this matter from my position.”
The memorial monument for Korean laborers in the Gunma Prefectural Park “Gunma no Mori” was installed by local residents in 2004 to inform future generations about the forced mobilization of Koreans during the Japanese colonial period. The front of the monument bears the phrase “Remember, Reflect, and Friendship” written in Korean, Japanese, and English. On the back, there is an inscription expressing “deep reflection on the historical facts that caused great harm and suffering to Koreans, and a pledge never to repeat such mistakes.”
Civic groups held annual memorial ceremonies in front of the monument. However, right-wing groups raised objections and demanded its removal after participants in the 2012 event mentioned “forced mobilization.”
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In response, Gunma Prefectural authorities refused to renew the installation permit in 2014. Civic groups filed a lawsuit against this decision, but in 2022, the Supreme Court of Japan upheld the legality of the local government’s action. Gunma Prefecture eventually notified the civic groups of the removal schedule and began the removal work starting on this day.
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