We’ll remember the International Memorial Day for Japanese Military Comfort Women!  

Holding a commemorative ceremony for the 「International Memorial Day for Japanese Military Comfort Women」 virtually on August 14

Issuing the message that future generations will be made to remember the “Japanese Military Comfort Women ” issue

To spread international consensus on the issue thru the publication of English webzine 「Kyeol」 to be used by the Institute of Japanese Military Comfort Women Issues for education and exhibition of the relevant tangible visual contents

Local governments to hold events participated in by the people, relevant organizations to hold commemorative events 

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF/Minister Chung Young-ai) will hold a virtual commemorative ceremony on August 14, 11:00 am on the occasion of the 「International Memorial Day for Japanese Military Comfort Women」("Memorial day").

 On August 14, 1991, the late Mrs. Kim Hak-soon, one of the victims, publicly disclosed what she suffered as one of the comfort women, and the government has held a commemorative ceremony to remember the victims since the designation of that day as a national memorial day in 2017.

This year, a film made on the subject entitled “The past 30 years we have shared together and our hope to change the world” will be sent out on the 30th anniversary of the late Mrs. Kim Hak-soon’s testimony. The ceremony will be relay-broadcast through MOGEF/KTV’s YouTube Channel.

 President Moon Jae-in will deliver the following message through a pre-recorded speech: “I pay homage to the painstaking efforts made by the victims to make the world a better place to live in without lingering on past pains. The government will do what it can to settle the issue with a victim-centered approach.” 

The commemorative ceremony will be held in the following order: showing of a film about the collaborative efforts made over the past 30 years since the late Mrs. Kim Hak-soon’s testimony in 1991 and expression of hope for future; recitation of the relevant books written by youths; and chorus by youths to commemorate the occasion. At the ceremony, a message will also be delivered to cite the need to look back on past efforts for the settlement of the issue, encourage future generations to remember the victims, and call on working together for the worthwhile cause.

The commemorative ceremony is being held online considering the COVID-19 situation. The online march ceremony made through people’s pre-application and quiz-event are to be carried out as a pre-event. A post-event will include an epilogue film about how the commemorative ceremony has been prepared, together with a cheer-up message for the people.

The following events will also be held on the occasion of the Memorial day: MOGEF-sponsored youths’ artwork contest; exhibition of the Institute of Japanese Military Comfort Women Issues’ educational contents; and special events hosted by local governments with the people’s participation. 

The MOGEF-sponsored youths’ artwork contest (June 18 – September 10) aims to encourage youths to have the right understanding of the history related to comfort women. The relevant homepage (http://www.herstorycontest.net) provides information concerning the Japanese Military Comfort Women issue.  

    * Prizes are to be presented to those selected in two categories, i.e., Japanese Military Comfort Women issue and Human rights/Peace (fine art/design, music/film).

The Institute of Japanese Military Comfort Women Issues is to publish the English webzine “Kyeol” (www.kyeol.kr/en) whose contents will include explanations about comfort women-related materials, commentaries, panel discussions, and essays in a bid to broaden the consensus on the comfort women issue at home and abroad. 

 It will also produce educational content made in English about 150-plus cases of historic materials including official documents of the Japanese military/government and UN containing information on comfort women and distribute it on August 13 both in Korea and the United States.*

     * At the Institute’s office related to the English webzine and UCLA Korean Studies Institute Archive

 Dialogue-type contents through which one can feel the victims’ vivid testimony are displayed at Heeum, Museum of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (in Jung-gu, Daegu), and Sogang University Gonzaga Plaza (in Mapo-gu, Seoul) between June and November this year. 

 In addition, local governments and civic organizations will hold a commemorative ceremony as well as lecture sessions and exhibitions in a bid to encourage people to stop and think about the International Memorial Day for Japanese Military Comfort Women.

     * Such events include exhibition of the relevant photos/pictures (in Jeollabuk-do and Cheonan, Chungnam), showing of the relevant films (in Chungnam and Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju), UCC-based contest (in Busan; Cheongyang, Chungnam; and Changwon, Gyeongnam), special lecture, and quiz event (Nam-gu, Gwangju).

 Meanwhile, the relevant homepage (www.theday814.com) provides information on the events carried out by local governments and relevant organizations where people can take part.

“It is sincerely hoped that the event held this time will serve as an occasion reminding us and future generations of the need to remember and join the victims’ courage and efforts,” Minister Chung Young-ai said.

She added that MOGEF will continue to strive to restore the victims’ honor and dignity and have the Japanese Military Comfort Women issue widely known across the globe as the value related to women’s human rights and peace.