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The 1,497th Wednesday Demonstration to protest Japan’s sexual slavery system during the colonial occupation takes place in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday. (Kim Gyung-ho/The Hankyoreh)

The Wednesday demonstration for the victims of military sexual slavery by Japan is to hit the 1,500 mark on July 14, having first begun 29 years ago in January 1992 ahead of a South Korea visit by former Prime Minister of Japan Kiichi Miyazawa.

The 1,497th Wednesday Demonstration to protest Japan’s sexual slavery system during the colonial occupation takes place in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday. (Kim Gyung-ho/The Hankyoreh)

The regular demonstration has consistently called on the Japanese government to acknowledge its war crimes during the colonial occupation, issue an official apology and provide compensation for damages suffered by the victims.

The 1,497th Wednesday Demonstration to protest Japan’s sexual slavery system during the colonial occupation takes place in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday. (Kim Gyung-ho/The Hankyoreh)

It has also provided a space for restoring the victims’ dignity and human rights and a setting for education and promotion of women’s rights and peace.

The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, which hosts the Wednesday demonstrations, is currently running various events, including an essay contest to celebrate the 1,500th Wednesday demonstration.

By Kim Gyoung-ho, staff photographer

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