Kono statement review of Japan : despicable denial

 The Japanese government has released its official report of origins of 1993 "Kono statement." In conclusion, the Japanese government announced that Kono statement was not soley based on historical evidence. Rather, they concluded that the wording of the apology was the product of negotiation between Seoul and Tokyo.

 This drew ire from Seoul and Beijing.

  The cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga insisted that Tokyo has no intention to change Kono statement and Tokyo will uphold the statement. Yes, Japan did not change the statement.

BUT let's take a look at Japan's conclusion:
"Kono statement was a product of negotiation between Seoul and Tokyo."

It is contradictory for the Japanese government to make such conclusion while Japan insisted to uphold the statement.

 Japan did not investigate to seek the truth, rather Japan tried to hide the truth and withdraw their apology. If Japan had really intended to apologize to the victims, Japan would not have reviewed Kono statement.

 From Japan's conclusion, it seems clear that Japan has no intention to apologize to the victims.

Abe's administration should remember that truth can never be hidden. Such distortions only make matters worse. It only shows Japan's bald-faced denial of history.


Reference: http://thediplomat.com/2014/06/japanese-report-on-the-kono-statement-draws-ire-from-seoul-beijing/

Holding hands&Free hug event @Hongdae

We won't forget the victims

 

“We won't forget the victims"

An increasing interest in contest 'Hapchang'

 

 

 

There is an increasing interest in contest 'Hapchang', co-hosted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family(Minister Cho Yoon sun) and the National Women's history Exhibition Hall.

 

On May 31, supporters of the contest held "Free hugs&Holding Hands" campaign. The campaign was aimed at increasing historical awareness to remember the victims. Supporters offered hugs and hand shakes to people.

 

18-year-old high school student Seo yeon Park, one of the participants, said "I hope people become aware of the comfort women issue from the "Free hug&Holding Hands" campaign.

 

On June 4, Hundreds of citizens joined the 1129th Wednesday demonstration with supporters holding 'Hapchang' signs.

 

23-year-old supporter Lee Hui Eun said "It is quite encouraging to see that many people participate in activities related to activities related to the victims of military sexual slavery by Japan."

 

Online is also active as offline promotion.

 

Spanish club of Yongin foreign language high school has translated information about comfort women to Spanish and posted on the official blog. Chinese club of Yongin foreign language high school will join soon. Information about comfort women, various activities performed by supporters are shared through social network service such as Facebook or Instagram.

 

The theme of Contest 'Hapchang' is peace, anti-war, consolation and the contest has 4 fields including music, art, performance and presentation. Any piece of work which can inform military sexual slavery by Japan to our nation and abroad can be submitted, and it can be submitted in foreign languages including English.

 

The contest is open to individual or groups of elementary, middle school, high school, university and graduate students or foreign students. The application form can be downloaded from the E-museum for the victims of Japanese military sexual slavery or the National Women's History Exhibition hall until the 30th of June.

 

 

 

Instagram event : With Grandmother, grammy, granny, hamoni

                                      

@hapchang2014

   #halmoni

           @hapchang2014 is holding an event via instagram.

            Share your special moments with your granny.

                The food your granny made for you,

               Photos you took with your granny,

                     Bags your granny made...

                      Every photo is welcome!

  

   How to join?

1. Upload your picture to your instagram

2. Tag @hapchang2014   #halmoni

3. Tell us your short story about your picture

 I uploaded the photo which my granny took for me.

I love you

Granny

                  

The 1130th Wednesday Demonstration

 Every Wednesday, the Wednesday demonstration is held in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul. Yesterday (11/06/2014) was the 1130th Wednesday demonstration, and it was my second time to join the Wednesday demonstration.

 Unlike the last time(28/05/2014), halmonis (Korean word for "Grandmother") came to the demonstration. Lee Yong-su halmoni and Kim Bok-dong halmoni joined the demonstration.

 Few days ago, another victim of military slavery by Japan passed away. Now there are only 54 victims alive in Korea. About 20 years ago, there were 234 former comfort women alive, but now there are only 54 victims alive. Unfortunately, halmonis are not healthy. Most of them are very old and they are not in good health. They are running out of time. Every second is a countdown.

 Many people joined the demonstration including halmonis, citizens, Korean council, journalists, foreigners, and the late Bae chun-hui halmoni. 

  Lee Yong-su halmoni stood up in front of the people, cried out and sent her last message to the late Bae chun-hui halmoni. Some people started to cry when halmoni said Bae's name out loud. I had mixed feelings of sadness and anger. I felt so sad because Bae halmoni passed away before the Japanese government makes an official apology. When will the Japanese government make formal and sincere apologies to halmonis? It seems like the government is hesitating to make a formal apology. They should admit and apologize without hesitation.


 After the protest, I approached Lee Yong-su halmoni and sent my message. I told her to cheer up and stay healthy. Halmoni held my hands with her warm hand and said she is happy because people, especially students, still remember the victims and fight for the victims. Oh, I was so moved. I approached her to cheer her up, but her warm words and her hands cheered me up instead. I can still feel the warmth of her hand.


                             Halmoni, I love you and thank you so much. I support you 
                                                                   R.I.P Bae Chun-hui 

Another victim of Japan’s wartime sex slavery dies

 A South Korean woman who was forced into sexual slavery for the Japanese imperial army during World War II died Sunday, another sign that time is running out for the aging victims to receive an apology and due compensation, a civic group said.

Bae Chun-hee died at age 91, according to the House of Sharing, which runs a shelter for victims of Japan’s sexual enslavement.

Her death leaves only 54 surviving victims of one of the most serious wartime crimes by Japan. Initially, 237 women were on the list of government-registered former sex slaves.


Source: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140608000219

Free Hugs&Holding Hands event @Hongdae

 On May 31st, team 'Hapchang' held a special event at 16:30-18:30 near Hongik University street, Seoul, Korea. We offered "Free Hugs&Holding Hands" and gave Heeum bracelet.  The event was aimed at promoting contest 'Hapchang', spreading love, and raising social awareness about the victims of military sexual slavery. 17 staffs took part in this event and more than 200 citizens joined our event. Huge thank you for those who joined our event. Your simple gesture has brightened our day.  
 Personally, it was a very special experience because it was my first time to organize an outdoor event. At first I was afraid, but thanks to our wonderful staffs and kind citizens, our event was a huge success. 

One of the best FreeHugs pics <3

 There was also another meaningful event nearby, collecting 100 won to help build a school in Latin America. For the last thirty minutes, the two meaningful groups joined together. 

Granny 

We love you and we won't forget you!