President Lee Jae Myung arrives at Cheong Wa Dae for a youth policy expert forum on Friday. [Yonhap]
President Lee Jae Myung arrives at Cheong Wa Dae for a youth policy expert forum on Friday. [Yonhap]

President Lee Jae Myung pledged Friday to "fulfill responsibility to the end" to fully restore the honor and dignity of each survivor of Japan's wartime sexual slavery.

In a Facebook post titled "I Will Walk in the Footsteps of Truth and Peace," published on the eve of Liberation Day on Saturday, Lee said the government had amended the Act on Support for Victims of the Japanese Military's Sexual Slavery to establish a legal basis for strictly addressing defamation and the spread of false information about the victims.

Lee opened by recalling the testimony of the late Kim Hak-soon, who came forward 35 years ago on Aug. 14, 1991, to speak the truth publicly. "A dark chapter of history that had long been buried in silence was brought to light," he said. "It was the day she took the first courageous step toward human dignity and justice."

He said it was because Kim shared memories that were almost too painful to recall that South Korea was able to confront its history rather than look away, and to take to heart the lesson that such a tragedy must never be repeated. "Passing on the values of human rights and peace to the next generation, in the spirit of her legacy, is the responsibility of all of us living today," he said.

Lee noted that only five survivors remain alive. "Yet even now, anti-human rights acts that deny history or damage the honor of the victims continue," he said.

Alongside his pledge of responsibility, Lee said he would establish a Women's Human Rights Peace Foundation "to remember the history of wartime sexual violence, including the Japanese military comfort women issue, and to spread the values of human rights and peace together with the international community," adding that the foundation would serve as a hub for solidarity and cooperation across Asia.

Lee also noted that this year's slogan for the Day of Remembrance for Japanese Military Comfort Women is "From Courageous Testimony to Steps Toward Peace." He said it was Kim's difficult first step 35 years ago that made it possible to stand where South Korea stands today on Aug. 14. "Now we will continue walking that path," he said.

He added that remembering the truth, protecting the dignity of the victims and building a world where such tragedy is never repeated is "what I believe is the greatest expression of respect we, living today, can offer."

Lee again expressed his deep respect for the victims "who have devoted their entire lives to upholding truth and justice," and said he sincerely wished them good health and peace.


moone@heraldcorp.com