Seoul's Eunpyeong-gu district is holding a week of remembrance from Aug. 12 through Aug. 17 to mark the "Day of Remembrance for Victims of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery."
The national memorial day was established to raise awareness of the comfort women issue at home and abroad and to honor the victims. Aug. 14, the designated date, marks the anniversary of the day the late Kim Hak-soon became the first survivor to publicly testify about her experiences as a victim of Japanese military sexual slavery.
During the memorial week, the district office will operate an online memorial hall on its website. Residents can lay virtual flowers and leave tribute messages honoring the victims.
On Wednesday, local youth gathered around the Peace Statue in Eunpyeong Peace Park for a peace-education activity. The students learned about the history behind the construction of Eunpyeong's Peace Statue and the historical facts surrounding the comfort women issue, then helped tend the memorial space around the statue before laying flowers in front of it to reflect on the meaning of the day.
"Remembering is not simply a matter of looking back at the past — it is about putting the values we must uphold into practice in our lives today," Eunpyeong-gu Mayor Kim Mi-kyung said. "I hope this becomes an opportunity for young people to personally care for a memorial space and reflect on the meaning of peace."
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