Statement on the importance of making changes revealed
Citizen group in Germany resists yielding to Japanese government pressure,
A member of the ‘Grandmothers Against the Right’ in Germany protesting against far-right violence and commemorating victims in front of the Peace Girl Statue in Berlin on February 19, 2021 (local time). Berlin/Photo by Han Juyeon,
, ‘It was belatedly revealed that Berlin Mayor, during a meeting with the Japanese Foreign Minister, expressed his intention to resolve the conflict surrounding the Berlin Peace Girl Statue by saying “it is important to make changes.” In response, a citizen group in Germany expressed their opposition, interpreting the statement as implying removal of the statue.’,
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, ‘On the 16th (local time), the Berlin city announced in a press release that Mayor Kai Wegner, who visited Tokyo, met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and stated, “It is important for us to make changes” regarding the controversial issue of the Berlin Peace Girl Statue. The city of Berlin reported that Mayor Wegner proposed a solution to the ongoing conflict related to the Peace Girl Statue in Berlin. Mayor Wegner visited Japan to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Berlin and Tokyo.’,
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, ‘During the meeting, Mayor Wegner expressed support for memorials against violence towards women but emphasized that there should not be unilateral expressions. The city of Berlin stated that Mayor Wegner is in discussion with all relevant parties including the district authorities, federal government, and the German Ambassador in Japan on this matter.’,
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, ‘On the 18th, the Korea Alliance for Civil Society in Germany rebuked Mayor Wegner’s mention of ‘change,’ interpreting it as a de facto intention to remove the statue, and stated, “The city of Berlin is yielding to pressure from the Japanese government.” The Alliance released a statement saying, “Mayor Wegner is not engaging in dialogue with us who erected the Peace Girl Statue despite his statement. If dialogue is proposed, we will gladly accept it.” The group emphasized that the decision-making authority for the Peace Girl Statue lies solely with the district authorities and stated, “If a meeting is held, we will raise the issue of pressure from the Japanese government to the district and the city of Berlin.” Regarding the argument of ‘unilateral expression’ about the Peace Girl Statue, the alliance proposed that Mayor Wegner visit an exhibition on sexual violence operated by the alliance to see various perspectives and educational activities firsthand. The alliance also added that they will hold overnight discussions inviting civil society organizations to the Peace Girl Statue on the 19th next month, which is ‘World Day for the Eradication of Sexual Violence.’,
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, ‘The Japanese government has been advocating for the removal of comfort women statues around the world, claiming they represent a unilateral stance by Korea. The Berlin Peace Girl Statue faced an order for removal from the local Mitte district shortly after being installed in October 2020, but it was suspended due to an injunction filed by the citizen group Korea Alliance for Civil Society. In April 2022, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida directly demanded German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his visit to Japan to remove the statue, saying, “It is regrettable that it is still in place.” In Germany, the sudden removal of the Peace Girl Statue installed in March last year by the student council of Kassel University in the state of Hesse sparked backlash from students and civil society organizations.’,
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