South Korea - August 14, 2024

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The South Korean government and people on Wednesday commemorated the memorial day for the Korean women who were forced into sex slavery for Japan's military brothels during World War II.

People from all walks of life took part in a series of commemorative events for the memorial day in many cities including Seoul, Daegu and Gwangju.

The civic group, Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (the Korean Council) held a "Butterfly Cultural Festival" at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul, using the image of yellow butterflies to commemorate the victims of Japan's wartime sexual enslavement of women.

Through photo exhibits and artistic performances, the organizers of the event called on people to remember the miserable experience of the "comfort women" victims and urged the Japanese government to offer apologies and compensation to the victims.

Hundreds of Seoul residents, students, and representatives from various South Korean political parties participated in the event.

On Aug. 14, 1991, late Kim Hak Soon gave the first testimony about her horrible memories of when she was a sex slave for Japanese soldiers as a young girl, making public to the world the lies of the Japanese government.

Her courageous testimony was followed by the vivid memories of other survivors. Historians estimate that the number of comfort women, mostly women from the Korean Peninsula suffering under the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule, is around 200,000.

South Korea began observing August 14 as National Memorial Day in 2018. So far, only 240 victims reported to the country's government, with only 9 among them currently alive.

Shotlist:
Seoul, South Korea - Aug 14, 2024:
1. Various of Butterfly Cultural Festival held by civic group, Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, screen showing photos, videos related to South Korean "comfort women"; attendees;
2. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Lee Na-yong, chairwoman, Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan （partially overlaid with shot 3:
"Many 'comfort women' victims spoke out about the historical truth to the world courageously. We need to inherit and carry forward their courage, continue to restore historical truth, and urge the Japanese government to apologize and offer compensation to the victims.";
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3. Pictures;
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4. Various of Lee Yong-soo, one of few surviving South Korean 'comfort women' victims, being interviewed, showing pictures;
5. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Lee Yong-soo, South Korean "comfort women" victim (partially overlaid with shot 6):
"My wish is for South Korea to resolve the 'comfort women' issue decisively and the Japanese government to offer apologies and compensation. I hope my wish can come true soon.";
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6. Pictures;
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7. Screen showing pictures, attendees.

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