Seoul Rally Demands Japan's Apology, Compensation for 'Comfort Women'

Protesters gathered outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul on Wednesday to mark the International Memorial Day for 'Comfort Women', demanding that Japan acknowledge its wartime aggression, issue a formal apology, and provide compensation to the victims.

The demonstration, organized by civic groups supporting the victims, also served as a warning against what they describe as a dangerous revival of Japanese militarism. Chanting slogans and holding placards that read "sincere apology," "legal compensation," and "stop Japanese militarism," the crowd voiced strong opposition to the trilateral military alliance involving the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

Baek Hwiseon, a college student at the rally, expressed concern that without proper reckoning, history could repeat itself. "If war breaks out again, war crimes such as 'comfort women' and forced labor are very likely to recur," she said. "Ultimately, ordinary people often suffer the greatest harm and pain in war, so we must not stand idly by while Japan advances remilitarization."

Han Kyung-hee, chairwoman of the ROK Council for Justice and Remembrance for Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, criticized Tokyo's current trajectory. "Instead of reflecting on its war of aggression, the Japanese government is pushing forward with remilitarization, a move that threatens peace in Northeast Asia," she said. "It is extremely dangerous. No reflection and remilitarization, this is deeply worrying for those who yearn for peace."

The event also featured an exhibition detailing the history of the 'comfort women' — a euphemism for the victims forced into sexual slavery by Japanese troops during World War II. August 14 was designated as the International Memorial Day for 'Comfort Women' in 2012, and South Korea's National Assembly passed legislation in 2017 to observe it as a national memorial day.