Minister of Gender Equality and Family Won Min-kyung announced on the 14th that the government will push to establish the Women's Rights and Peace Foundation to pass down the historical truth of the Japanese military "comfort women" issue and the values of women's rights and peace to future generations.

Speaking at the 9th Memorial Day for Japanese Military Comfort Women Victims, Minister Won stated, "The government will systematically inherit the precious records and research outcomes accumulated so far, while expanding education for future generations and domestic and international cooperation."

She emphasized, "We will ensure that the historical truth of the Japanese military comfort women issue and the values of women's rights and peace continue unwaveringly into the next generation."

Designated as a national memorial day in December 2017 and marking its ninth anniversary, the Memorial Day for Japanese Military Comfort Women Victims commemorates August 14, 1991, when the late Kim Hak-sun first publicly testified about her victimization.

This year's memorial theme is "From Courageous Testimony to Steps of Peace."

Minister Won said, "One person's courage drew forth further testimonies, becoming our society's memory and leading to a global human rights movement that awakens the values of women's rights and peace today."

She added, "Regrettably, only five victim grandmothers remain with us now. The government will stand by them until the end so that they can live while maintaining their dignity and pride."

Minister Won also mentioned that revisions to the Comfort Women Victims Act have established a legal foundation to prohibit acts defaming victims and to punish the dissemination of false information.

She stressed, "Despite having painfully testified to the truth, the victims have had to suffer deep wounds once again due to ongoing historical distortion and the spread of false information. The dignity and honor of the victims must no longer be infringed upon."

Regarding the removal of barricades surrounding the Statue of Peace near the former Japanese Embassy, she remarked, "I was there at the site myself. It was deeply moving to watch the Statue of Peace, which had been blocked off for a long time, fully return to the side of the citizens once again."

She emphasized, "The victims left us the truth of history through their courageous testimony. Now, it is our turn to respond to that courage and build peace."

Attendees at the event included Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and comfort women victim Lee Yong-soo.

(Photo: Yonhap News)