Like the famous saying goes: “A nation that forgets its past has no future,” the footsteps of history hold significant meaning for us, who live in the present and finally shape the future. Addressing a painful chapter in our history, the issue of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery, which remains unresolved even today, there is a museum that keeps this story alive through various exhibitions, programs, and more. Let's explore it together with CAH.

Exhibition: History and Unsolved Problem Even Until Now, Japanese Military Sexual Slavery

The War and Women's Human Rights Museum is a space dedicated to remembering and educating about the history experienced by survivors of the Japanese military's “comfort women” system. It actively works towards addressing the issue of sexual slavery by the Japanese military and is operated entirely by the efforts of citizens. As a civic organization museum, it raises awareness of ongoing issues related to wartime sexual violence, standing in solidarity and taking action for a world without war and violence against women. The museum originated from the empathy of citizens who were interested in the matter of “comfort women”, which led to fundraising activities and eventually to the opening of its doors on Children's Day, May 5, 2012. The museum aims to convey the history and memories of the past while it documents current activities towards "women, human rights, and peace." The goal is to impart a better world to future generations. Additionally, for foreign visitors, audio guides are available in Korean, English, and Japanese.

Permanent Exhibition of the Museum

The permanent exhibition is divided into three main sections. It begins with a shining yellow butterfly breaking through the walls of violence and discrimination. In Part 1, "The Weight of the Past," visitors can hear the stories of grandmothers who carry deep scars as former "comfort women" of the Japanese military. Upon opening the thick iron doors, visitors walk along a stone path accompanied by the sounds of war, experiencing the horrors of war indirectly endured by the victims. They then proceed into the underground exhibition hall. There, visitors experience the sense of disconnection and the weight of history against the backdrop of battlefields and comfort stations where the victims suffered. Notably, each ticket bears the story of a different grandmother’s life at that time, and in this space, visitors encounter these grandmothers through video.

Part 2 is about the encounter between the past and the present. Here, the true nature of the issue of the Japanese military's "comfort women" system is revealed, along with the reality of the so called ‘comfort stations’, the stories and artifacts of victims at that time, and various activities in response to the Japanese government's failure to fully acknowledge and accept legal responsibility; including demands for comprehensive accountability, detailed records, and traces of diverse solidarity actions, like weekly protests. Additionally, a separate memorial hall is situated to honoring deceased victims of the Japanese military's sexual slavery system, where visitors can lay flowers, contribute to the flower fund, or express their condolences.

In Part 3, "Stepping into the Present, Toward the Future," visitors broaden their perspective to look at the pain of other women in different contemporary spaces worldwide. It highlights the issue of rape as a weapon of war, pointing out ongoing cases of rape, sexual violence, and gender-based atrocities in places like Africa, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Interview- Meeting Museum’s Educational Activist Yu-jin

CAH met and had a conversation with Yu-jin, who works as an educational activist in the War and Women’s Human Rights Museum.

Q1: Could you introduce yourself briefly and explain your role at the War and Women’s Human Rights Museum?

A1: Hello, I'm activist Yu-jin. Currently, I am engaged in research, education, and solidarity work with Japan at the museum. Occasionally, when groups from Japan visit the War and Women’s Human Rights Museum, I conduct education sessions in Japanese on the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery. I also assist in various tasks requiring Japanese language skills. There is a project that young people from Japan and Korea meet to learn about historical issues by traveling between the two countries. This project is funded by the inheritance of Song Sin-do, a victim of Japanese military sexual slavery, and aims to connect present-day Japan and Korea.

Q2: We know that the museum faced various challenges and opposition from certain groups before its establishment. Could you share your thoughts on operating and developing the museum amidst these difficulties?

A2: I think running the museum corresponds to the establishment of a memorial hall, which is one of the seven demands of the Wednesday demonstration[1]. It's rare for civil society organizations to operate museums, let alone ones that commemorate historical injustices and educate the public. I take pride in engaging in such a unique and challenging endeavor as a civil society organization. Ultimately, I see the museum as a space where victims of Japanese military sexual slavery and the public can meet in various ways, breathing together with the community. Therefore, it's significant as a space where the sentiments echoed by the victims, the desire that no one else should become a victim of such crimes, can be continuously conveyed. Additionally, the fund collected by Japanese citizens and the efforts of the Museum Establishment Promotion Committee from Japan were crucial in the establishing museum. I see it as a representation of the solidarity among Korean and Japanese citizens, especially women, manifesting in tangible outcomes.

Q3: When do you find the most rewarding moments in this work?

A3: About half of our museum visitors are foreigners, and half of those are Japanese. So, there are moments when I educate or guide Japanese visitors. After the educational session, when I ask for their impressions, I often hear expressions of embarrassment and anger because they didn’t know or learn about these historical facts due to the lack of systematic education in Japan. Those moments are particularly impactful for me. They highlight the ongoing lack of proper historical education in Japan, which denies Japanese citizens the right to know, and the realization that the responsibility for past wrongs is still relevant today.

Q4: Finally, if you have a message for the readers of the CAH, please share.

A4: Our museum operates solely on citizen donations, which is quite rare. It's important to recognize that we are entirely driven and sustained by the power and will of the citizen. Additionally, the issue of sexual slavery under Japanese military control is deeply intertwined with various complex issues such as colonialism, patriarchy, classism, and heteronormativity. It remains relevant to us all, and we are always connected to these problems. Therefore, we are able to stand together in solidarity. I want to emphasize that this is not a matter confined to the past; it persists today. As a space open to everyone, I hope that many people will visit with positive intentions.

Meeting with Yu-jin helped us realize that the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery is not just a thing of the past but is an ongoing matter. Even as you read this, some people are demanding justice from the Japanese government, which has not yet apologized. They are also working tirelessly to rescue women from potential wartime violence elsewhere in the world. Let us continue to pay attention to their energetic and righteous efforts!

March 8th marks International Women's Day. International Women's Day originated from a protest held by female laborers in the United States on March 8, 1908, demanding improved working conditions and suffrage rights. It has since evolved into a global movement advocating for the abolition of gender discrimination and the advancement of women's rights worldwide. To commemorate International Women’s Day, how about visiting the War and Women’s Human Rights Museum?