A symbol of Remembrance: The La Paz Statue

A golden statue representing the “Women of Consuelo,” also known as “Comfort Women,” has been inaugurated at the Buenos Aires international Book Fair in La Rural. dante Choi,president of the Civil Association of Koreans in Argentina,described the statue as a symbol of memory, as reported by Page 12. This poignant monument serves as a reminder of the hundreds of thousands of women who endured sexual enslavement at the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. This marks the first time a replica of the original statue, located in Seoul, South Korea, has been displayed in Latin America. Members of the Korean community, adorned in traditional attire, attended the unveiling ceremony.

Navigating Diplomatic Sensitivities: Location Change

The statue is currently located at Stand 1705 in the yellow pavilion.Initially planned for an outdoor location, the placement was altered due to concerns raised by Japanese diplomats. This change underscores the ongoing sensitivity surrounding the historical issue.

Raising Awareness: A Long-Overdue Recognition

María del Pilar Álvarez, a scholar in Korean studies, shared her experiences, stating that 20 years ago, while studying in South Korea, she visited the museum dedicated to sexually enslaved women and witnessed the weekly protests in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. She noted that at the time,the issue was largely unknown in Argentina. Álvarez’s research and advocacy have been instrumental in bringing this history to light in the Spanish-speaking world.

Álvarez further observed that while awareness among younger generations of Korean-Argentines has grown, largely due to social media, the statue’s presence at the Book Fair signifies a broader acceptance and understanding of the violence inflicted upon these women. The growing empathy for victims of sexual slavery is a testament to the impact of women’s rights movements globally.

Argentina: A Beacon of Human Rights

For researcher Alvarez,the inauguration of the statue at such a prominent event as the Book Fair is A fantastic sample of how the defence of women’s human rights and repudiation of all kinds of violence against women has legitimized. and I think it is no accident that Argentina, a symbol of human rights, is the first country in Latin America to place this statue, she said.

A Ceremony of Solidarity and Remembrance

The opening ceremony was led by Álvarez and included the participation of Claudia Victoria Poblete Hlaczik, granddaughter, and Paula Sansone, coordinator of the house for the identity of the grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo. Both read the text that accompanies the statue. Victoria Montenegro, president of the Human Rights Commission of the Buenos Aires Legislature, also expressed her support for the pursuit of truth and justice. The event concluded with remarks from Dante choi, who emphasized that the statue represents a symbol of peace and not the resentment or rematch.

The Plight of the “Comfort Women”: A Historical Overview

The term “Comfort Women” was used by the Japanese Imperial Army to refer to women who were forced into sexual slavery. Estimates suggest that between 200,000 and 400,000 women, primarily from Korea but also from China, the philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Netherlands, were victims of this system.Many were teenagers at the time of their abduction. Survivors have recounted being forced to “attend” to numerous soldiers each day. The trauma and shame associated with this experience prevented many from returning to their communities, leading to lives of isolation and hardship.

“It is estimated that they were between 200 thousand and 450 women, the majority Korean-many of them teenagers-but also Chinese, Japanese, the Philippines, Malays, Vietnamese and Dutch. for the testimony of the few who came to tell their experiences, it is indeed known that they had to “attend” more than a dozen uniformed per day. Many of them could not return to their communities. Crossed by war and shame, by the traumas of that horror and marginality, aged away from their families, with their lives.”

The United Nations and various human rights organizations have condemned the actions of the Japanese Imperial Army and called for Japan to formally acknowledge and apologize for its role in the “Comfort Women” system. While some progress has been made,the issue remains a point of contention between Japan and some of its neighbors.

Bearing Witness: photographic Exhibition

Alongside the statue, a photographic exhibition by Japanese photographer Yakima Tsukasa showcases the faces of several surviving “Comfort Women” in China. These women, trafficked during the war, were unable to return to their homes. Tragically, none of these women are still alive today.

Symbolism in the Statue: A Deeper Meaning

The statue itself is rich in symbolism. The traditional Korean clothing represents the era of World War II.The bare heel symbolizes shame and isolation, while the clenched fist signifies resilience and determination.The bird perched on the shoulder represents freedom, and the empty chair invites viewers to empathize with the suffering endured by the “Comfort Women.”

A Long Journey: From Storage to exhibition

According to Page 12,the statue was brought to Argentina in 2022 through the efforts of Dante Choi,the Civil Association of Koreans in Argentina,and the Man Young Foundation. However, plans to display the statue at the House for Identity, Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, were thwarted by pressure from the Japanese government, which has consistently denied the systematic nature of the sexual exploitation perpetrated by the Japanese Empire. The statue’s future after its three-week exhibition at the book Fair remains uncertain.