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Protesters gather in central Seoul’s Jongno District on Wednesday to mark the 1,526th Wednesday Demonstration calling for the Japanese government to redress the issue of the “comfort women” system of sexual slavery. (Kim Tae-hyeong/The Hankyoreh)

Undeterred by freezing temperatures, the 1,526th Wednesday Demonstration calling for the Japanese government to redress the issue of wartime sexual slavery proceeded on Wednesday in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Seoul’s Jongno District.

Groups present at the demonstration continued their denunciations of historical whitewashing and hate speech by right-wing groups who have gone so far as to attempt to remove the Statue of Peace, a memorial to the victims of the “comfort women” system of sexual slavery.

While the 1,526th Wednesday Protest was underway in the vicinity, the Statue of Peace memorial to victims of the Japanese military’s system of sexual slavery dons a yellow knit cap and scarf. (Kim Tae-hyeong/The Hankyoreh)

Yet again this week, the Wednesday Demonstration was pushed out of its original and backup protest site by conservative organizations.

In a statement, those present at the demonstration said that “redressing the issue of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery does not signify conflict, but rather peace.”

Furthermore, protesters called for the repeal of the 2015 agreement between Korea and Japan that says the “comfort women” issue is “finally and irreversibly” resolved.

Demonstrators present move to the beat of the protest song “Like a Rock” during the protest on Wednesday. (Kim Tae-hyeong/The Hankyoreh)

Demonstrators hold up signs calling for a formal apology from Japan and reparations for victims. (Kim Tae-hyeong/The Hankyoreh)

By Kim Tae-hyeong, staff reporter

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