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Lee Yong-soo and Yang Geum-deok, respective survivors of Japan’s systems of sexual slavery and forced labor, hold hands at a rally held on March 1 calling for a formal apology and compensation from Japan. (Shin So-young/The Hankyoreh)

Joint Action for Historical Justice and Peaceful Korea-Japan Relations, a coalition of groups including the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, held a rally for the 104th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement at the plaza in front of Seoul City Hall on Wednesday afternoon.

During the rally, they called for a halt to the South Korean administration’s current plans for resolving issues related to survivors of forced labor mobilization during the occupation. They further demanded an apology and compensation from Japan for its role in that mobilization.

Lee Yong-soo, a survivor of Japan’s “comfort women” system of sexual slavery, speaks at the 1,585th Wednesday Demonstration held near the former Japanese Embassy in Seoul on March 1, shown on a screen connected to a metaverse app. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)

The Korean Council joined the rally after holding its regular Wednesday Demonstration at noon the day in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul’s Jongno District. The Wednesday Demonstration was attended by Lee Yong-soo, a 95-year-old survivor of sexual slavery by the Japanese military.

In a message to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Lee called for the military sexual slavery matter to be referred to the UN Committee against Torture.

Yang Geum-deok, who was taken to Japan at a young age and forced to labor there, waves to the crowd after being awarded a prize for human rights and peace on March 1 at a rally in Seoul Plaza. (Shin So-young/The Hankyoreh)

Also attending the citizens’ rally was Yang Geum-deok, a 94-year-old survivor of forced labor mobilization. Yang was awarded a Peace and Human Rights Medal at a conferment ceremony held the same day.

In November 2022, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea recommended her as a candidate for the Human Rights Award of Korea and the Order of Civil Merit.

But in consideration of relations with Japan, the administration has not presented the matter of Yang’s decoration before the Cabinet.

Following the rally in Seoul Plaza, participants marched to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japanese Embassy, holding up a sign reading, “We will stand by Yang Geum-deok.” (pool photo)

By Shin So-young, staff reporter; Kim Hye-yun, staff reporter

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