President Lee urges Japan to own up to sexual slavery

Posted on : 2012-03-02 11:53 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
A solution is being sought while so-called ‘comfort women’ are still around to witness it

 By Ahn Chang-hyun

 President Lee Myung-bak has openly called on the Japanese government to resolve the issue of sexual slavery during Japan‘s colonial occupation of Korea.

 Speaking at an address Thursday to commemorate the 93rd anniversary of the March 1 independence movement, Lee said, “More than anything else, we require the true courage and wisdom to not ignore the two countries’ true history if [South Korea and Japan] are to carry on cooperating closely as true partners.”

 “In particular, the issue of military comfort women is a humanitarian matter that needs to be resolved swiftly,” Lee added.

 Lee went on to say, “If [the comfort women] leave this world without ever having resolved the bitterness in their hearts, then Japan will forever have missed an opportunity to resolve this matter.”

 “I urge the Japanese government to take a more active stance on this,” he added.

 This is the first time Lee has ever mentioned the issue of women drafted into sexual slavery for the Japanese military in either a March 1 or Independence Day address. He also clashed briefly with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda over the issue at a bilateral summit last December.

 A senior Cheong Wa Dae (South Korea‘s presidential office, or Blue House) official said, “We don’t have a lot of time because the comfort women are now so advanced in years.”

 Lee also made a call of encouragement the previous day to Liberty Forward Party lawmaker Park Sun-young, who is currently fasting to protest the repatriation of North Korean defectors from China. His latest moves indicate he is making direct appearances in sensitive issues affecting relations with Tokyo and Beijing.

 Lee also sent a letter of encouragement and gifts of honey and nutrient cream to the comfort women Thursday via a Cheong Wa Dae secretary. In the letter, he wrote, “I am writing you this letter because I thought of you especially as the March 1 holiday arrived.”

 “The government will continue showing its profound interest in you and doing everything that it can,” the letter continued.

 Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]