By Honorary Reporter Daniela Astolfi from Italy

In 2011, the first Statue of Peace was installed in Seoul. 

Created by artists Kim Seo-kyung and Kim Eun-sung, the sculpture carried high symbolic value not just for remembering women forced into sexual slavery by Japan before and during World War II, but also respecting human values and dignity. Other places with the statue include Stintino, Italy, and Berlin.

The following are two interviews on the statues in Italy and Germany with people who attended events highlighting the works and their meaning. 

The Statue of Peace in Italy was unveiled on June 22 on a beach in Stintino, a city on the island of Sardinia. The work was donated by the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery and unveiled by Stintino Mayor Rita Vallebella.

The following are the excerpts from a July 24 email interview with Tiziana Roggieri, a Stintino resident who attended the unveiling. 

Why did you attend the ceremony and what was it like?
As a lover of things Korean, I jumped at the chance to attend a ceremony for the unveiling of a Korean statue with deep historical significance just a few km from my home. I knew the history of the women forced into sexual slavery in Asia and felt proud that my country would host it.

Before the unveiling, a ceremony had many women giving speeches including Stintino Mayor Rita Vallebella, other female mayors from near and far, and a regional councilor on the difficulties women have in asserting themselves at work, sometimes facing injustice and physical and mental violence. 

A boys' choir also sang "Arirang," a Korean folk song that I knew, but I was moved by this performance as the boys sang it in Korean. I found it especially moving when the head of the council stressed the importance of not forgetting what these poor women had to go through. 

Many Korean residents of Italy were also present.

The statue in Berlin donated by the council has faced pressure to be removed from the Japanese government. On July 17, the Berlin Korean Dance Project led by director Melissa Minseong Seo campaigned against its removal at the event "Alle Fur Ari" (All for Ari) with support from the information platform Korea Verband.

The following are the excerpts from a July 22 email interview with Seo. 

What is the Berlin Korean Dance Project?
Founded in December 2020 by me, the project has been active in Europe since 2021. It focuses on making Korean traditional arts and culture accessible through educational and cultural activities. Its members include Berlin residents, immigrants and students passionate about Korean culture and dance.

Why did you participate in this event?
The Statue of Peace in Berlin erected by Korea Verband is again facing the threat of removal due to pressure from the Japanese government. Students at our Wednesday classes at the museum space of Korea Verband also took part in the event, and we hoped that our performance could raise awareness.

How was the audience response?
Some were aware of the Statue of Peace but others didn't know what it was. Korea Verband volunteers explained to those interested in the statue's meaning after watching our performance.

What does this statue represent for Koreans?
This statue is meant to remember the suffering of the victims, inform the public about historical truths, and promote messages of human rights and peace.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.