'We Will Not Forget'... Gyeonggi Province to Hold Memorial Events for Victims of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery Across the Region in August

On the upcoming 14th, various events commemorating victims of Japanese military sexual slavery will be held across Gyeonggi Province to mark 'Memorial Day for Victims of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery'.

This Memorial Day is a national commemorative day established to honor victims of Japanese military sexual slavery and to reaffirm the importance of historical truth and the value of peace.

It commemorates August 14, 1991, when the late Hak-soon Kim publicly testified for the first time about her experience as a victim of Japanese military sexual slavery. In 2017, a legal revision officially designated this day as a statutory memorial day.

Gyeonggi Province has promoted various commemorative programs each year to honor Memorial Day. This year as well, a variety of events will be held in cooperation with 12 cities and counties, including official ceremonies, floral tributes, exhibitions, performances, and citizen participation programs.

First, on August 8, a Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the House of Sharing in Gwangju City. The ceremony will include the unveiling of a bust to honor the victims, an award presentation by the Governor of Gyeonggi Province for individuals who contributed to commemorative projects, an awards ceremony for the Peace·Human Rights·Remembrance message contest, and cultural performances. In addition, there will be exhibitions of contest-winning works and a range of hands-on programs, offering opportunities to remember the lives of the victims and share the values of peace and human rights with future generations.

Event Poster for the Memorial Day for Victims of Japanese Military Sex Slavery in Gyeonggi Province

A diverse range of events reflecting the unique characteristics of each region will also take place in other cities and counties. In Suwon, the program will include a ceremony for the World Memorial Day for Victims of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery, cultural performances, hands-on booths for citizen participation, and a photography exhibition. Hwaseong will hold a ceremony, floral tributes, and citizen engagement programs. Anyang will host an awards ceremony for an art contest, performances, and hands-on booths, and Siheung will organize a memorial ceremony at the Statue of Peace, a special exhibition, and a poetry reading event.

Beyond these, commemorative ceremonies, memorial events, exhibitions, performances, peace forums, and citizen participation programs tailored to each local context will be held in cities including Ansan, Gimpo, Paju, Gwangmyeong, Osan, Icheon, and Pocheon, to remember the victims of Japanese military sexual slavery and reaffirm the importance of peace and human rights.

Park Yeonkyung, Director of the Women and Family Policy Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Memorial Day is not just about remembering the pain endured by the victims of Japanese military sexual slavery, but also about carrying on the values of peace and human rights with future generations. I hope residents across the province will join the Memorial Day events to remember history and reflect on the true meaning of peace."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.