Grandma Yong-soo Lee denounces revival of the 2015 Japan-Korea Agreement!
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Record on Sexual Violence and “Comfort Women”
July 8, 2022
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
January 6, 2023
On July 19, 2022, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin was reported to have conveyed to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in their meeting that Seoul will respect the 2015 Japan-Korea “Comfort Women” Agreement.
(https://english.kyodonews.
Upon this news, “comfort women” survivor/activist Grandma Yong-soo Lee issued a video statement where she said, “The 2015 Agreement is invalid, and I cannot accept any conditions on which it is premised.”
Watch video: https://youtu.be/Zz_6_
(Turn on the caption to see the English subtitles)
Please sign the petition to refer the “comfort women” issue to the Internatioanl Court of Justice:
https://www.change.org/p/
[Grandma Yong-soo Lee’s statement]
Dear President Yoon,
This is Yong-soo Lee. How are you?
I am losing sleep over the news reports that the Korean government will respect the 2015 deal. Do you remember the promises you made to me when you were campaigning? You said that you will resolve the “comfort women” issue properly, even if you don’t win the election. I felt grateful and had hopes that you will fulfill your words.
But then why such news?
The 2015 deal is invalid! I cannot accept any conditions on which it is premised. The 1 billion Yen from Japan must be returned as well. Why?
For decades, we have been demanding proper resolution of the “comfort women” issue based on the seven principles set up by the UN. They are: 1. Acknowledgement of the crime, 2. Official apology, 3. State reparations, 4. Punishment of perpetrators, 5. Fact-finding, 6. Ongoing education, 7. Establishment of memorials and museum.
The 2015 deal resolved none of these demands.
On the contrary, the Japanese government is saying to the U.S. and Germany that the issue is over and to tear down all memorials to the “comfort women” based on this 2015 deal that allegedly has “resolved the issue finally and irreversibly.” How can this deal be a resolution while Japan is abusing it to erase our history? Why do you force this deceptive deal on us?
The “comfort women” issue is a universal human rights issue. Therefore, it should be resolved separately from other political issues.
If a bilateral negotiation is not going to work out, we should turn to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as an impartial instrument (of law). That will be the only way to clearly reveal Japan’s war crimes and restore victims’ honor.
Let me be clear. Whatever the ICJ decides, I will accept that judgement.
Mr. President, please keep your promises. Please consider my requests seriously. This issue will never be resolved with the 2015 agreement. Please don’t kill us twice. I, Yong-soo Lee, plead with you on behalf of all victims.
Please meet with me before the Korea’s liberation day of Aug 15 to discuss the proper resolution of the “comfort women” issue. I’ll be waiting for you.
Thank you.
