"Together with Future Generations" Memorial Day Ceremony for Japanese Military Comfort Women Victims to Be Held on the 14th

To Be Held at 10 a.m. at Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan
Youth Art Contest Awards Ceremony; 22 Works Selected
“Courageous Testimonies Must Lead to Action by Future Generations”

The ceremony commemorating the 'Memorial Day for Japanese Military “Comfort Women” Victims' will be held at 10 a.m. on August 14 at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Now in its ninth year, this national day of remembrance was established to honor the first public testimony of the late Kim Hak-soon, a victim of the Japanese military “comfort women” system. The event aims to remember the courage and lives of the victims, and to pass on the values of human rights and peace, grounded in historical truth, to future generations.

Statue of Peace in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

This year’s ceremony will take place under the theme “From Courageous Testimony to Steps Toward Peace.” This theme signifies that the record of truth, which began with the victims’ courageous testimonies, must continue through today’s solidarity and remembrance, carrying forward into the practice of peace and human rights by future generations.

The program will begin with a reading of testimonies reconstructed from the oral records of “comfort women” victims, followed by a themed video screening, a commemorative address, an awards ceremony for the youth art contest, and a commemorative performance. The ceremony is designed as one flow, showing how the memory inspired by the victims’ testimonies continues through the civic participation of today and the actions of future generations.

An award ceremony for the youth contest on the theme of “comfort women” victims will also take place during the memorial. This year, out of a total of 626 submissions (562 artworks and 64 videos) collected nationwide, 22 entries were selected as winners, reflecting the high level of interest and participation among young people.

The Prime Minister’s Award, the highest honor, was given to two works: the comic “Dear Girl, What Do You Wish For?” by Son Wonju of Kyungnam University (art and design category), and the video “I’ll Protect You!” by Kim Nana of Gyeonggi Arts High School (video and music category).

“Dear Girl, What Do You Wish For?” links the victims’ experiences with contemporary women's rights issues, delivering a message of solidarity and hope. “I’ll Protect You!” revisits the victims’ memories through the perspective of people today, emphasizing that remembering history is the first step to safeguarding the future.

Additionally, twenty Gender Equality and Family Minister’s Awards will be presented at the ceremony. The winning works are set to be exhibited both on-site at the memorial venue and online via the youth contest website and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's YouTube channel.

Around Memorial Day, local governments and civil society organizations across the country are planning to hold various events, including ceremonies, memorial gatherings, exhibitions, performances, and educational programs.

Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Won Minkyoung, stated, “Memorial Day does not stop at remembering the brave testimonies of the Japanese military ‘comfort women’ victims, but is a day to carry their significance forward through the actions of the next generation.”

She added, “The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will continue to protect the honor and dignity of the victims, uphold the historical truth, and promote commemorative projects as well as educational and public relations programs. This will enable future generations to naturally learn and practice the values of human rights and peace.”

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