“실용외교-과거사, 양자택일 대상 아냐…위안부 문제, 정부 답해야”

The Korean government will need to take responsibility and act on the legal rulings that require Japan to compensate victims of military sexual slavery, according to the head of the Justice Memorial Association. 이재명 정부 has been criticized for failing to address the issue during the six meetings between South Korea and Japan in the past year, despite the legal ruling issued by Korean courts.

The association is urging the government to make diplomatic efforts to ensure Japan complies with the rulings. The association emphasizes that resolving historical issues is necessary for building trust and fostering cooperation between the two countries in areas such as economics and security. The sole surviving victim of the "comfort women" system, 99-year-old 이용수 할머니, expressed her desperation for a resolution, stating that she believes it's the last hope.

The association highlights the importance of systematically recording, preserving, and managing the stories of the surviving victims, as it can serve as an important historical foundation for future generations.