1. With regard to the issue of sexual slavery victims drafted by the Japanese imperial army, the Japanese government, in the Kono statement of 1993, acknowledged that the military sexual slavery had severely injured the honor and dignity of many women. In the similar vein, the UN, in a number of its reports, has called on the Japanese government to acknowledge its responsibility, apologize and provide compensation to the victims, and punish those responsible for the wrongdoings.

2. Some of Japan’s high-ranking officials have lately made remarks ignoring the pain of the victims and the stern calls from the international community, and denying the forced mobilization of the sexual slavery victims, which the Japanese government had already acknowledged. All these actions are a truly retrograde step.

3. The Japanese government should remember that the country that turns a blind eye to history would have no future, and come up with ways to heal the wound and pain of the sexual slavery victims as soon as possible. The Japanese government should also keep it in mind that such measures are critical to further developing the relations between the Republic of Korea and Japan in a future-oriented manner as well as for the sake of Japan’s own future.


                         Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation