A commemorative ceremony for “Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery” will be held on the 14th in the small theater at the Busan Citizens’ Hall. This was announced by the city of Busan on the 13th. The government designated this day as a national memorial day in 2017 to raise awareness about the issue of victims of Japanese military sexual slavery and honor the victims. The city has been hosting commemorative events every year since the following year.
The event is divided into two parts. During the first part, a commemorative ceremony will take place along with a screening of the short animation “Untold Story” directed by Kim Joon-ki. This animation is based on a recorded confession by a Japanese grandfather who operated a military comfort station.
Following this, there will be a memorial performance featuring the musical drama “Bongseonhwa,” which includes songs from the era of the Japanese colonial period and musical theater numbers. Poetry recitations and performances honoring the victims will also be presented.
Additionally, various subsidiary events for citizen participation are planned in the theater lobby, including a commemorative exhibition, a photo zone, and a section for leaving messages. The commemorative event is open to the public.
Meanwhile, currently, there are six surviving victims of Japanese military sexual slavery nationwide, but none residing in Busan since August 2020.