The 803th Wednesday Demonstration for the Resolution
of the Japanese military sexual slavery issue
And the 100 th Anniversary
of the International Women’s Day
Statement

We stand here in solidarity, in honor of the many women suffering from the effects of war, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the March8th International Women’s Day.

We can not suppress our wrath about the wartime violence committed against women, especially in light of the fact that the Japanese Military’s “Comfort Women” issue has yet to be resolved.  For this reason, we know that the “Comfort Women” issue can not be dismissed as an occurrence of the past, but rather-for the common benefit of women of today and of the next generation- it needs to be resolved.

On this day, women, who have maintained 16 years of Wednesday Demonstrations through tireless tenacity in solidarity, join the courageous survivors-who have come forward to reveal the truth-in a singular voice from all parts of the world to demand the resolution of the Japanese Military Sexual Slavery issue and to demand an end to all violence against women.

However, the Japanese government has not only been ignoring and/or dismissing the various nations’ resolutions against the “comfort women” issue, but also has been attempting to revise the peace clause in its constitution therefore creating an atmosphere of war.  We denounce the Japanese government for its refusal to make amends for the crimes committed against the victims as well as its utter lack of remorse. 

Furthermore, the Korean government should be criticized for its inaction and inability to pursue a solution as its people continue to have their rights abused and history distorted by the Japanese government.  President Lee had declared before his election that he “would not request an apology from the Japanese government” and a few days ago on the anniversary of the Independence Movement of March, 1919, he also stated that “we can no longer postpone our development into the future because of our past,” and that Korea needs to “pursue a democracy opened for interaction with the international world and not be bound by narrow-minded nationalism.”  What kind of future does the president envision?  Is he not trying to conceal the painful history of the Korean people? Is he not revealing his superficial awareness of history with his singular objective of developing the economy under the guise of practicality?  The issue of war victims needs to go beyond that of mere nationalism, and be treated as a matter which needs to be resolved for the acquisition of human rights and peace for all humankind.  In order to truly overcome narrow-minded nationalism, the Korean government needs to resolve the Japanese Military’s “Comfort Women” issue-a resolution which is supported by many nations-and establish a justifiable diplomatic policy with Japan as well as take charge in correcting the historical distortions. 

We, women, in solidarity, will continue to defend our cause until both the Japanese and Korean governments resolve the “comfort women” issue so that we can bring hope for the many victims and to assure that such crimes against women do not occur again.

With strong intention, we demand the following:

We demand the Japanese government to thoroughly inquire into the Japanese Military’s Sexual Slavery issue, make an immediate formal apology to the victims, and make legal reparations for the crimes!

We demand the Japanese government to recognize the legal responsibility for its war crimes and immediately stop its current attempts of hostility!

We demand the Korean government to actively seek a solution for the Japanese Military’s “Comfort Women” issue and enforce pro-human rights policies by looking beyond mere practicality and national interests!

We demand the warring powers of the world to immediately end pro-war activities as well as human rights violations and violence against women!

March 5th,2008

The Participants of the International Solidarity Gathering
and the 803rd Wednesday Demonstration for the Resolution
of the Japanese Military sexual slavery issue