[Anchor]

Today (August 14), the day before Liberation Day, marks the 9th Memorial Day for Japanese Military Sexual Slavery Victims. The day was established to commemorate the late victim Kim Hak-sun, who made the first public testimony in 1991. Memorial events honoring the courage and sacrifices of the victims were held across the country. Our reporter is live at the site of the commemoration ceremony.

Reporter Kim Minjun, it looks like it is raining. Could you first tell us about the atmosphere at the scene?

[Reporter]

I am standing near the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

A Butterfly Cultural Festival hosted by the civic group Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan has been underway here for about an hour.

In fact, the rain started to get heavier just before the event began, so attendees are currently participating while holding umbrellas.

Although they could not attend in person today, the surviving victims expressed their gratitude through videos.

[Park Pil-geun, Victim: I want to receive compensation and an apology from the country (Japan), and seeing so many students gives me strength.]

[Lee Yong-soo, Victim: Today is not just any day, but the Memorial Day, which we truly must never forget. Thank you so much for understanding and coming out here in this hot weather.]

[Anchor]

There was also an official government event this morning, is that correct?

[Reporter]

The official government event was held this morning, hosted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

Lee Yong-soo also attended the event in person, where she was spotted clasping her hands with tearful eyes or holding hands and talking with other participants.

Out of the 240 victims of the Japanese military sexual slavery officially registered with the government, only 5, including Lee Yong-soo, are currently alive.

No one remains at the House of Sharing where the grandmothers used to live; instead, 22 commemorative busts now stand guard at the facility.

This year's Memorial Day feels even more meaningful as the barricades surrounding the Statue of Peace were removed two months ago, after six years, amid concerns of vandalism by some far-right groups.

(Camera: Joo Yong-jin, Kim Han-gyeol | Video Editing: Choi Hye-young)