S Korea allows new 'comfort woman' statue in Busan

If they want to undo the deal, give Japan the money back.

Korean troops set up "comfort women" stations during the Korean War, with separate places for UN troops and special ones for Korean troops.

Korean troops also systematically raped Vietnamese women and girls during the Vietnam War, and committed multiple atrocities.

Where are the statues for these people and events? Koreans should accept responsibility for these atrocities. Korea is not a land of innocent victims.

Here is archived news of these crimes:

http://www.nationofchange.org/2015/04/09/the-scars-of-war-vietnam-comfort-women/

Koreans again prove their inability to hold a deal. Unfortunately, the world will never punish them for it because Japan being a pure black is necessary for their pride as well.

Critics said the deal did not go far enough in holding Japan responsible for its wartime abuses.

and they always will no matter what Japan does. Korea has proved yet again it cannot be trusted to honor any agreement on this subject.

Korean President's Statements regarding relationship between Japan and Korea

Park Chung Hee: Problems in regard to property and claims between Japan and Korea have been settled completely and finally. Kim Young Sam：S.Korea does not require compensation for comfort women issue Kim Dae-jung： Japan has apologized, and I have accepted it. Roh Moo-hyun： Historical issue never be talked during my period. Lee Myung-bak： S.Korea does not require apology on Japan. Park Geun Hye： S.Korea confirms that the issue is resolved finally and irreversibly.

Japan had fulfilled responsibility completely and finally.

Korean activists should demand to remove Japanese Embassy and consulate for severance of diplomatic relations　rather than to just settle the harassment statue. S.Korea is a communist country so she should unite with N.Korea as ethnic eager. S.Korea is supposed to distribute huge money of development assistance from Japan, those money were given to only Korea (S and N Korea) by Japan and S.Korea still kept it all. Then, people in The United Korea should choose Kim kingdom of dictatorship or republic of freedom.

Koreans are just going in circles. It will be difficult for them to move on in life if they don't change the way of their thinking. There was a chance to finally settle this matter last year, but they bottled it out of greed. Just get on with it and look forward and maybe then there will finally be peace between these two countries.

Koreans again prove their inability to hold a deal.

No, that's not true here. The Korean government is holding to the deal. Certain private citizens (activists) are opposing it.

Just because some private individuals disagree with the deal doesn't mean that the government isn't abiding by it.

Whether to put statues up was never part of any deal between the Japanese and Korean governments.

Grow up.

The statue is appropriate and the history must be remembered. However, it is important to keep the memory of what President Obama did in Hiroshima and Prime Minister Abe did at Pearl Harbor. Just try to think about not trying to change history, not trying to indoctrinate children, and not trying to ask for more compensation for something that happened. Build bridges, not walls.

Petty and small minded. SK haven't understood a victim mentality isn't the best way to move forward as a nation. Plus they have now lost the rest of the world's sympathy (bit like Israel).

Drop the perennial victim complex otherwise you'll isolate yourselves even more.

@yankinhokkaidoDEC. 31, 2016 - 09:56AM JST

Just because some private individuals disagree with the deal doesn't mean that the government isn't abiding by it.

When the deal was signed, it was understood by both sides that Japan will choke up some money and a moral apology. In return they expect that South Korea stop pushing this issue and that the statue right outside their embassy to be removed. People might not like it

It was expected that Korea will claim "internal difficulties" and put off actually removing that Embassy statue as long as possible, perhaps to eternity.

Now, however, SK's government has gone from mere deliberate bureaucratic inaction to action in the reverse direction. This is a deliberate, intentional breach.

Once again people are confused on this issue.

What groups of private protesters say and do, does not necessarily represent the official views and decisions of the national govt.

Yes - a local govt gave permission to erect the statue - but they are hardly the govt of S.Korea.

And as I stated on other posts - all credibility for sincere apologies goes down the drain when you have a leading representative of the revisionist movement (Nippon Kaigi & Shinto Seiji Renmei), no less than the Defense Minister Inada, playing her mind games adding fuel to the fire.

Some say this will never end because of the "crazees" in S.Korea. Well maybe - but the bull-headed crazees here certainly are playing no insignificant part.

With the revisionists exercising more and more control over daily life here, I guarantee this issue will not be over for a long time to come - sadly.

@noriyosan73"The statue is appropriate and the history must be remembered."

No, it was a rather silly action.

browny1

Yes - a local govt gave permission to erect the statue - but they are hardly the govt of S.Korea.

No it is nothing but tacit consent of SK government. If Government serious enough, it would ve taken down allthe statues by now.

And as I stated on other posts - all credibility for sincere apologies goes down the drain when you have a leading representative of the revisionist movement (Nippon Kaigi & Shinto Seiji Renmei), no less than the Defense Minister Inada, playing her mind games adding fuel to the fire.

smithinjapan would ve warned you what's those Nippon Kaigi, Yasukuni all go to do with the issue. This is talking about the statues.

I think the whole world (outside Japan) respects these people's will and dedication to their grandmothers - I think we can all learn from their mission to protect their forebear's dignity and respect.

We should never forget the cruelty done and statues like this help achieve this. More statues!

Die Reality - thank you.

Do you have info re the National Govt of Korea giving tacit consent? In most democratic (or semi) societies, govts have limited powers re people expressing beliefs. We only have to look at what the extreme right wing groups get away with here under the guise of freedom of speech. If it's not illegal then what can they do?

And DieR - if you had read the article you would have seen that it mentions clearly that Inada's visit to Yasukuni was the fuel to fire the reaction in Korea. So logically I mentioned that Inada - as a leading representative of those organizations - went with obvious intent to support her buddies.

All on topic and Inextricably related to the statue's issue.

Koreans are basically reenacting how they responded after the Japan-Sino war. They never learn do they.

Kazuaki: if Japan were sincere then people would deal with them sincerely. When you have Japanese literally saying, "it's not compensation, and there were no comfort women, they were well-paid whores and this money is to shut them up" there is nothing sincere coming from the Japan side.

DieRealityCheck: "No. it is nothing but tacit consent from SK government."

THIS from a guy who believes the claim that visits to Yasukuni by Japanese government officials, in their official capacity, are personal and have no conflict in the separation of church and state? Classic hypocrisy!

"Kazuaki: if Japan were sincere then people would deal with them sincerely. When you have Japanese literally saying, "it's not compensation it is shut up money, and there were no comfort women" there is nothing sincere coming from the Japan side.

DieRealityCheck: "No. it is nothing but tacit consent from SK government."

THIS from a guy who believes the claim that visits to Yasukuni by Japanese government officials, in their official capacity, are personal and have no conflict in the separation of church and state?"

Whether the apologists here like it or not, you can't stop a country from putting up a statue in memory of Japan's war crimes

sf2k

When did Japan and Korea clashed in war?

Showing ignorance. The last major battle fought directly between Korea and Japan was more than 400 years ago. I doubt there were any standard for war crime during those days. LoL

why are you laughing at people's suffering? Imperial Japan is dead. Let it stay that way

No one in a Free Japan should care how many statues there are in South Korea, or anywhere. If it helps people deal with grief, then they should be all for it. They know it has nothing to do with modern Japan.

The only people who are offended are those who are still Imperial apologists / Yasukuni followers. No one else could be offended

browny1

In most democratic (or semi) societies, govts have limited powers re people expressing beliefs.

It is against the international law that says you have to maintain the dignity of foreign consulates. Also it is against the agreement made last year end between Japan and SK. So, SK government has full "powers re people expressing beliefs" on this.

Those civil activists are funded by NK with intent to break Japan-SK relation.

if you had read the article you would have seen that it mentions clearly that Inada's visit to Yasukuni was the fuel to fire the reaction in Korea.

You can't break the law or agreement based on things not included in the agreement.

Those civil activists are funded by NK with intent to break Japan-SK relation.

I'm not surprised that you, who is funded by the Japanese government to cast doubt on the sex slaves, would say the above quote.

The statue is appropriate and the history must be remembered.

Yes, it's possible to forgive but we should never forget. And it's certainly the right of the victims to decide how the sex slaves should be remembered. Inada is nothing more than a fascist, a Nazi, whatever you wish to call it. Her comments and actions show exactly what she believes. There is no doubt. The "banality of evil", Hannah Arendt's phrase to describe Adolf Eichmann, seems so appropriate for Tomomi.

Personally I have NO PROBLEM with this.

Like I said way back when the deal was done, Japan has to EARN the possibility of the statues removal, so far it aint doing very well.

Japan think $$ can buy everything, its finding out it CANT!

Statues are not a slight against Japan but a strength. Yes! it's true! It's a reminder, and an anchor for any that see the black vans and Imperial apologists that no, that era is long over. That era was wrong, and anyone can point to those statues and say, never again. It HELPS Japan shake off the last vestiges of hatred and a reminder that the journey to peace is unfortunately a long one. One that takes annual pilgrimage to affirm harmony. One that can be raised above in grace and peace like a Spring day.

Korea has a lot of baggage and yes it gets piled on by those who politically benefit from it. Very much like the Yasukuni ilk. But the end of the day it's the Koreans and Japanese who see each other and know That Era is over that are friends and make their futures happy ones. But not out of blindness nor forgetfulness.

Once That Era is finally put into the dustbin of history then the future of Asia will be a lot brighter. This is an OPPORTUNITY to shame those who triumph That Era and calm fellow Asians towards real lasting harmony, not the fake government versions, or the lies of Imperial ambitions.

Before asking SK to remove statues why not offer to stop going to yasukuni!

Tinawatanabe

You are quite correct, the dignity of foreign csulates must be mentained.

It's a pity that this does not seem to happen on Japanese soil. Sound Trucks making a noise outside foriegn consulates, and in areas of "ethic peoples".

I would suggest Japan puts it's own house in order before playing the victim.

@browny1DEC. 31, 2016 - 10:30AM JST

What groups of private protesters say and do, does not necessarily represent the official views and decisions of the national govt.

OK, then I don't expect to hear your complaint again when Japanese, in their private capacity express their historical views or take actions consistent with their individual rights, nor should their private acts be used as excuses to violate international agreements.

Yes - a local govt gave permission to erect the statue - but they are hardly the govt of S.Korea.

Sorry, no. Article 27 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties is imposed exactly to avoid this kind of bureaucratic defense. South Korea should have sorted out its internal legal system to ensure it can stick to the treaty. The local government is still part of the State, and cannot be treated as a private action. Now that they signed it, they are responsible for making it work. AFAIK, Japan already forked over the billion and the apology. Its part of the bargain is complete.

And as I stated on other posts - all credibility for sincere apologies goes down the drain when you have a leading representative of the revisionist movement (Nippon Kaigi & Shinto Seiji Renmei), no less than the Defense Minister Inada, playing her mind games adding fuel to the fire.

Sorry, not a valid excuse to break an international agreement. I really like these whiney gripes of "sincerity" to excuse clear cut violations. Aren't the West supposed to be rule-of-law?

We only have to look at what the extreme right wing groups get away with here under the guise of freedom of speech. If it's not illegal then what can they do?

Unless that statue is conveniently on private ground (where it might get a bit tricky), it is a big piece of litter on public ground. I'll be shocked if South Korea doesn't have any normative act (law, ordinance, regulation) against littering. Since it was placed illegally, public organs are within their rights to remove it, and indeed it was for a time, showing a respect for rule of law (I am well aware the average South Korean is not enthusiastic about removing those statues).

They definitely did not have to "approve" the placement of the statue. From the viewpoint of administrative law, permanent placement of a statue on public ground is not part of the regular rights of the citizen, thus it is not a regular licence that can be viewed as an automatic bureaucratic move, but a special permission requring the use of discretionary authority (thus with intent).

Tina - thank you.

Firstly - I agree, protocol suggests that the dignity of an embassy is to be maintained by the host country. I suppose it becomes thin, when protests with multiple view points occur. If the physical bounds of the embassy were compromised, or incessant loud noise or continual obstruction was evident, then I believe that would not be appropriate. But a silent statue across the road, well that's moree difficult to control.

And there was NO agreement last year where the Seoul statue removal was set in cement. The Korean govt promised to look into it. It did not give any guarantee it would remove the statue. This is commonly known.

And the activists are NK sympathizers? Really? All of them? Proof please.

Bottom Line Kazuaki Shimazaki, the authorities in Busan make the decisions regarding Busan, not individuals from other soveriegn nations and their interpretation of International Law.

Kazuaki: "sorry, not a valid excuse to break an international agreement."

No one's breaking any agreements. It's not he SK government doing this. And don't blame them when you claim Inada visits Yasukuni in a private capacity, not official.

That is a very good sign and modern in every aspect that a country is recognizing the agony of women during war time. In France, so many women suffered from the american soldiers during the liberation of our country. It was buried like everything that could have change the opinion of "USA military = good" from our news and books but the reality is that women are put in sexual slaving pretty much everywere on the planet during war time by every army, and by men even without war.

This is a general crime of man toward woman that men have difficulties to admit to their wife, kid and mom when they come back home. They found so many good excuses for having this need for relieving the sexual tension that always forget the words "slavery" and "rape".

I love those south modern corean woman who put their pride at the right place and does not show shame about being raped and slavered, and want to shaw to the world the crime that are still committed everywhere (even in japan by military US man today).

This should not be forgotten, this way, men will have to take their dicks crimes into account and women pains for their reals places and prices in history (and not just shortcut them at a cheap price to have more for the mâle family true pain).

Renegotiating is good for everyone especially men false pride.

And the activists are NK sympathizers? Really? All of them? Proof please.

It is well known that the opposition party members are mostly NK sympathizers. The Presidents candidates are from the opposition. They have been objecting to Japan-SK agreement and promising to renegade on it after taking the power.

SK is in bad shape now It will be matter of time NK will control the peninsula.

@Ex_Res DEC. 31, 2016 - 02:18PM JST

Bottom Line Kazuaki Shimazaki, the authorities in Busan make the decisions regarding Busan, not individuals from other soveriegn nations and their interpretation of International Law.

The authorities in Seoul make the decisions concerning all of South korea, including Busan.

You do realize the very purpose of VCLT 27 is to avoid this kind of "I really don't know" or "I have no control" BS excuse? If you really have no control, you will have to lose the advantage of being able to enter into a mutual commitment and gain some advantage from the other side. Once you signed up, you are in.

@smithinjapan DEC. 31, 2016 - 03:07PM JST

No one's breaking any agreements. It's not he SK government doing this. And don't blame them when you claim Inada visits Yasukuni in a private capacity, not official.

The SK government has responsibility to ensure its international commitments get done.

By the way, legally (and IMO factually) speaking, it is a valid defence to say you are visiting in private. In fact, saying you can't visit in private is actually a violation of Article 20, about the freedom of religion. There is arguably no choice but to decide that they definitely can visit Yasukuni in a private capacity.

Further, Japan has not made any commitments to Korea regarding visits to Yasukuni. As an example of how international law and VCLT 27 works, suppose there was an agreement that unambiguously says Japan will not allow its officials to visit Yasukuni. Let's also say that common academic consensus and court precedent unambiguously agree that Inada visiting is a private act that must be protected by the Constitution.

In that case, from an international law point of view, Japan will be expected to stop Inada from visiting anyway even though it is (in this example) clearly anti-Constitutional.

browny1

Do you have info re the National Govt of Korea giving tacit consent? In most democratic (or semi) societies, govts have limited powers re people expressing beliefs. We only have to look at what the extreme right wing groups get away with here under the guise of freedom of speech. If it's not illegal then what can they do?

Do you know the tragedy in 2002 two highschool girls got run over to death by US armored Car? The civic group protested by trying to erect the statue ( i guess it was also created by the same Mr and Mrs Kim famous creater for these statue) twice. Right in front of US Embassy for the first time, got rejected by SK Government, and actually erected a couple blocks away from the embassy, Again immediately taken down by the government. See it was serious enough and didnot make stupid excuse or not stayed silent like it is now.

smith

THIS from a guy who believes the claim that visits to Yasukuni by Japanese government officials, in their official capacity, are personal and have no conflict in the separation of church and state?" smith

Just making exaggeration would not satify you enough and started making up stories? When did say I such things. I didn't post much to Yasukuni Thread. All I said, 1) Even GW Bush offered to make an viist, Yeltin acrually paid visit and 2) Let Japanese deal with Yasukuni ( means let Japanese handle all the controvercial issues) and leave them alone.

Strangerland

I'm not surprised that you, who is funded by the Japanese government to cast doubt on the sex slaves, would say the above quote.

If it's real that I could get paid for just posting comments by J-goverment, I would eagerly raise my hand to be registered for such position as 5-cents/post warrior

sf2k

The only people who are offended are those who are still Imperial apologists / Yasukuni followers. No one else could be offended.

Wow. RReeeallly?

Nadège MoyonDEC. 31, 2016 - 03:18PM JST

That is a very good sign and modern in every aspect that a country is recognizing the agony of women during war time. In France, so many women suffered from the american soldiers during the liberation of our country. It was buried like everything that could have change the opinion of "USA military = good" from our news and books but the reality is that women are put in sexual slaving pretty much everywere on the planet during war time by every army, and by men even without war. This is a general crime of man toward woman that men have difficulties to admit to their wife, kid and mom when they come back home. They found so many good excuses for having this need for relieving the sexual tension that always forget the words "slavery" and "rape". I love those south modern corean woman who put their pride at the right place and does not show shame about being raped and slavered, and want to shaw to the world the crime that are still committed everywhere (even in japan by military US man today). This should not be forgotten, this way, men will have to take their dicks crimes into account and women pains for their reals places and prices in history (and not just shortcut them at a cheap price to have more for the mâle family true pain). Renegotiating is good for everyone especially men false pride.

You are comparing apples to oranges - yes, many French women were raped by Us soldiers, but the US military DID NOT enslave young women in sex slave camps at any time. Only Japan and ISIS have done this in modern history.

As someone pointed out before, if Japan is going to accept and promote Hiroshima and Nagasaki memorials in both Japan and in other countries then it should shut up and accept comfort women statues too.

People are getting tired of Japan's double standards.

The Internet means we can all hear about and discuss Japan's insincere approach to WW2.

S.Korea had better start thinking of changing the design of her current national flag to the one with the statue right in the center

ignorantbuyer

Only Japan and ISIS have done this in modern history.

Raping many times by many in row matches enslaving in sex slave camp or even worse. You basically do not understand what they claim keep erecting the statues are allegedly for.

Tina - I thought we were discussing the supporters of the statue.

Your point - " It is well known that the opposition party members are mostly NK sympathizers "

has little to nought to do with it. The fact that someone protests in SK doesn't mean they are NK sympathizers.

DieReality - a car accident that tragically claimed 2 lives Cannot be compared with the topic at hand, where the subjugation and eventual deaths of thousands occured - regardless of the real numbers it was significant. And not only are you talking about a completely unrelated incident, but the govt of 14 years ago is not the same govt as now, so one could easily suspect a different line of thought or action. Anyway - it has no connection.

And as I have stated many times before, as an observer of these comings and goings on both sides, this will never end until the revisionists stop fuelling the fire. You may agree or disagree with that, but copy this to your desktop as a remioinder and check every few months / years to see if the spread of statues has declined or their significance weakened.

If not, check to see how the revisionists statements / actions have been forth-coming. If yes, check to see how the revisionists statements / actions have been forthcoming. I think you will find a correlation - but then you know I'm just a casual observer with no vested interest - so what would I know.

browny1

I doubt you knew the incident in 2002 and how furious the entire country became at that time. Yes the incident is not related to the comfortwomen issues but here we are talking about the stance of SK government. Or are you claiming because the victim was just two school girls and less significant, the government could become serious and was able to reject the erection of the statue twice, for violatoin of Vienna convention and public road traffic law as reasonings? I am sorry to say, whenever someone says it's not comparable, it just sounds sophistry.

Weak arugument which rather proves the government has different colour of will depending on the cases, which is called Intentional, and hence, tacit consent.

Your argument of different govt would be irrelevent, whoever heads up the government, they have the same power and authoirtative rights to enforce the law unless constitution changes. Different line of thought? again means nothing but only tactics using diffrent language depending on the situations. It's their nothing but intention

And as I have stated many times before, as an observer of these comings and goings on both sides, this will never end until the revisionists stop fuelling the fire.

This plan to erect another statue in Busan didn't suddnly start because of Inada's Yasukuni visit. It is rediclous to connect Inada's visit just a few days ago to their never-ending movements

Die reality - thank you & happy new year.

The tragic accident is not comparable to an international incident involving the lives of thousands.I never mention this with an intent to mislead. Similar acts have occured in Japan where the govt / media / society has gone to town over attacks / deaths caused by members of the American forces here, yet played down or never mention acts not related to the American forces. All govts choose what fits their agenda I guess.

And the reason I mentioned the govt of 2002 was, if I remember correctly, the govt of the day was tarred as nationalistic, pro-NK and very anti-american. I believe Bush & Rice were particularly against the regime. So one would have expected such a backlash. The current Park regime has a far closer relationship with the US. Everyone understands that the Japanese Prime minister-ships of for example Miyazawa, Murayama, Mori, Hatoyama & Abe are chalk and cheese and is reflected in their governing , sympathies and decision making. So - yes!

And yes you are correct - the statue planting didn't suddenly start because of Inada, but I believe (as many others also do) that the timing and strong rallying was influenced by her decision. But I believe you would be naive if you thought that the words and actions of the revisionist crowd didn't give the Korean protesters ammunition to play with. Those people will still hold their beliefs, that's for sure, but no peace will come on this issue if tact and diplomacy is not shown by some leaders here. As I have said ad nauseum - I've got no investment in this, other than an observer of a situation that is growing more and more out of control - to the detriment of Japan. Wise people should analyse this.

Busan is a beautiful city! My favorite in Korea.

Good on the Koreans for putting the statue up. South Korea is a sovereign nation and a city inside of the sovereign nation can do this if it pleases. Likewise, if Japan's leaders can visit Yasukuni.

At some point people need to see beyond these things. The past has been hashed over ad nauseum and it is better to look to how the countries can build a better relationship in the future.

DieRealityCheckDEC. 31, 2016 - 08:20PM JST S.Korea had better start thinking of changing the design of her current national flag to the one with the statue right in the center ignorantbuyer

Only Japan and ISIS have done this in modern history. Raping many times by many in row matches enslaving in sex slave camp or even worse.

You are joking, right?

@blowny1

Happy New Year

As I have said ad nauseum - I've got no investment in this, other than an observer of a situation that is growing more and more out of control - to the detriment of Japan. Wise people should analyse this.

As you stressed it a few times, I got it. But the causes (the incident in 2002 and the agreement in 2015) don't even have to be compared and less important IMO except the only fact that the protesting statue were erected in front of/near foreign embassy on public land). As I said, the issue here is the reaction K-Gov took in both cases, in other word, how central goverment can be serious enough to respect the agreement where it declared, at least, to make efforts to appropriately solve the anxiety of Japan related to Vienna convention The agreement was of course reached finally and irrevoably unconditionally. If All those history cards, like Yasukuni, Enforced Labor, Hiroshima-Korean victim, and Takeshima/Dokdo, Kanto Earthquake are all mixed up and used from time to time as good excuse not to respect the spirit of agreement, S.K shouldn't have made any agreements internationally and offcially for ever.

See my point? S.K Government tried to and did take down the same symbol in front/near foreign embassy, as violating vienna conventiion, public road traffic law as reasonnings

@igloobuyer

I thought you were joking. Your apple and orange are very much comparable.

who gives a shite. Let them erect statues everywhere.

@Kazuaki +Firelly I don't see the connection between Japan's compensation for their abominations in the peninsula and the Koreans erecting MEMORIALS of a bitter part of their history.Koreans may choose to forgive but must they also forget? As if it never happened ? Was it hush money?

Looks as if the propagandist are now heading into phase two in which they are defining the event as truth without doubt. You guys must love Goebbels' famous words,

　”If you tell a lie big enough and repeated often, then people will believe it at the end. You can claim a lie as long as it manages the state to shield people from the political, economic and military consequences of the lie. It is therefore of vital importance to use for the state, its entire power for the suppression of dissent. The truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and therefore the truth is the greatest enemy of the state.”

I don't see the connection between Japan's compensation for their abominations in the peninsula and the Koreans erecting MEMORIALS of a bitter part of their history.Koreans may choose to forgive but must they also forget?

Unless they try to find fault with Japanese public textbooks and Japan's domestic issues all the time and bring fabricated stories into UN, directly/indirectly support for erecting the statue overseas, and of course violate Vienna conventions, there would be nothing much Japan thinks worthwhile or capable of complaining about.

browny1

The fact that someone protests in SK doesn't mean they are NK sympathizers.

Those anti-Japan activists are funded by opposition party. To win the next SK presidency, they are using anti-Japan sentiment. If they succeeded, they may ask US military to leave.

The fact that someone protests in SK doesn't mean they are NK sympathizers.

Just a note I didn't refer to. Mr and Mrs Kim, creaters of the statues are NK sympathizers, well known fact in Korea.

@Cogito Ergo SumJAN. 01, 2017 - 08:41PM JST

I don't see the connection between Japan's compensation for their abominations in the peninsula and the Koreans erecting MEMORIALS of a bitter part of their history.Koreans may choose to forgive but must they also forget? As if it never happened ? Was it hush money?

It's more like "blackmail money", with SK being the blackmailer. Regardless of the truth of the muck that's comfort women, legally speaking all talk of compensation should have ended in 1965. Nevertheless, Korea has been finding every excuse under the sun,putting up statues right in front of other people's embassies, misapplying the public-private divide to have their courts demand extra compensation from Japanese companies working in Korea, having their "Constitutional Court" insist the treaty was unconstitutional ... sigh, anyway, finally they are given an extra billion with the condition this would end it.

Well, it lasted for one year, I guess. But then, maybe they are smart. Maybe they know that there are many Westerners that will throw legality and equality under the sun because PITY THOSE POOR CLAIMANTS.

There isn't anything wrong per ce with having a statue like this somewhere. However, it is arguably a provocation to have the statue directly outside the consulate. It is being interpreted as a middle finger to Japan, and I'm sure that's the protesters' objective.

As for the local ROK government, I don't buy that they're powerless to do anything. Private citizens cannot simply erect statutes wherever they please. For example, I could not erect a statute commemorating the murder of the last Korean Empress outside the ROK embassy (not that I would want to). So this was clearly a deliberate decision.

What I find unfortunate is that the ROK is far more willing to bang on about Japan's past than confront current North Korean aggression. If anything, the ROK's behaviour just seems to encourage it. Currently relations are a little cold, but soon enough Pyongyang will get given a big bag of money and rice to get it to "play nice". Then it will murder some more South Koreans and the cycle will repeat. This just suggests that the ROK keeps going on about Japan because it's an easy target.