Lee vows to restore honor of women sexually enslaved by imperial Japan

President Lee Jae Myung committed to restoring the honor of South Korean women who were sexually enslaved by Japanese forces during World War II, stating that Seoul would play a key role in Asia in advocating for human rights and peace. He pledged to work diligently until the dignity of every victim is fully restored, as conveyed through a message read by his chief of staff, Kang Hoon-sik, at a ceremony commemorating the so-called "comfort women."

Historians estimate that up to 200,000 women, primarily from Korea, were forced to serve as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers between 1910 and 1945 when Korea was under Japanese rule. South Korea observes August 14 as the annual day of remembrance for the victims of sexual slavery by Japan, marking the first public disclosure by a victim in 1991 regarding the wartime atrocities.

President Lee emphasized that sharing this painful memory has enabled the nation to absorb the lesson that history should not be forgotten to prevent similar tragedies in the future. He added that passing on the values of respect, dignity, and peace should be a collective responsibility.