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2018 Eunoia

Eun-bin Seo

On December 28th, 2015, the
Foreign Affairs ministers of
Japan and Korea signed the 2015
Agreement. Japan acknowledged
in 2015 convention that its
military intervention in comfort
women seriously damaged the
honor and dignity of many
women. They also expressed
their apologies and sympathy
for the victims' suffering
and injuries. After the 2015
agreement, the Japanese side demanded the ban of use of the phrase "sexual slavery" during the
Korea-Japan foreign ministerial talks. In response, Korea said that the victims of the Japanese
military should be only referred to comfort women as the official term.

Japan claimed that the 1965 Korea-Japan agreement included many claims that are different
from what the South Korean government claims and that the money paid before was
humanitarian aid, not compensation. In addition, the Japanese government confirms that the
issue will be "finally and irreversibly4) resolved", and that the countries should refrain from
criticizing each other for the same issue in the international community. Although the agreement
does not mention it specifically, the South Korean government claime that Japan also have to
"resolve" the issue of the comfort woman girl statue in front of the Japanese embassy. The
Japanese government has been constantly requesting its demolition5).

Many people are not aware of the situation of the comfort women at this time, and others are
indifferent. It's wrong. We have to remember comfort women. Many people should pay attention
to comfort women. We do not forget their painful history and repeat the mistakes of the past.

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4) irreversibly : 되돌릴 수 없게
5) demolition : 철거

15MYEONG-SHIN GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL