Gunma Prefecture in Japan Removes Memorial for Korean Laborers... Civic Group Says "A History of Great Sin Left Behind"

Established in 2004 to Promote Korea-Japan Friendship

Authorities in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, recently removed a memorial monument dedicated to Korean laborers from the Japanese colonial period, located in the prefectural park 'Gunma no Mori' in Takasaki City, despite opposition from civic groups and some media, on the 31st of last month.

According to the Asahi Shimbun on the 1st, Gunma Prefecture authorities began administrative enforcement work to dismantle the monument on the 29th of last month on behalf of civic groups and completed the removal the day before.

On the 29th of last month, demolition work was carried out at the Korean Memorial Monument located in Gunma no Mori, a prefectural park in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Korean memorial monument was erected on a circular base with a diameter of 7.2 meters, alongside a 4-meter-tall golden tower. However, photos taken by Asahi using a helicopter on the morning of the previous day showed that the site where the monument stood had become an empty lot, with heavy machinery leveling the ground and piles of concrete debris visible.

On the 29th of last month, Gunma Prefecture authorities removed a metal plaque inscribed with the phrase "Memory, Reflection, and Friendship" and a metal epitaph stating "We deeply reflect on the historical fact that caused great damage and suffering to Koreans and express our determination never to repeat such mistakes," and handed them over to the civic group 'Association to Protect the Memorial Monument,' while restricting public access.

A representative of the 'Association to Protect the Memorial Monument,' which owns the Korean memorial, reportedly told Asahi that upon seeing photos of the demolition, they felt "the conscience of people who love peace was torn to shreds."

The representative condemned the action, saying, "The memorial monument can be considered the conscience of Gunma, a monument to honor the deceased, so is it acceptable for the authorities to remove it? I feel anger toward Gunma Prefecture’s actions. Gunma Prefecture has left behind a history of great sin. It is very regrettable."

The Korean memorial in Gunma Prefecture was installed in 2004 by a Japanese civic group to promote understanding of the history between the Korean Peninsula and Japan and to foster goodwill between the two sides. However, Gunma Prefecture authorities refused to renew the installation permit after a memorial ceremony held in 2012 at the monument mentioned "forced mobilization," which they took issue with, and the Supreme Court of Japan upheld the legality of the local government’s decision.

When the civic group’s request to remove the Korean memorial was not met, Gunma Prefecture forcibly removed it through administrative enforcement. The civic group criticized this, stating, "Gunma Prefecture authorities proceeded with the removal of the Korean memorial without just cause and did not clearly disclose the method of removal."

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