“Peace won.”

At 12 p.m. on the 6th, the barricades surrounding the “Statue of Peace” installed in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, were removed for the first time in about six years. Citizens applauded in unison and shouted. Han Kyung-hee, chair of the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance, said, “The barricades had been put up under the pretext of protecting the statue from forces that distort history,” and added, “Thanks to citizens’ efforts, we can return to the original intent, and it is a truly joyful day.”

As on any other Wednesday, the 1,751st “Regular Wednesday Rally to Resolve the Issue of the Japanese Military Sexual Slavery System” was held in front of the statue. Citizens shouted, “Japan must offer an official apology and legal compensation,” and, “We will not stop until all these wishes are fulfilled.”

Symbolizing women’s rights and peace without war, the Statue of Peace was first erected in front of the Japanese Embassy on December 14, 2011, during the 1,000th Wednesday rally. Since then, citizens have continued the weekly Wednesday rallies together with the statue.

Starting in 2019, people who deny Imperial Japan’s history of mobilization began insisting on removing the statue, claiming, “The Japanese military’s ‘comfort women’ are fake.” As concerns grew that the statue might be damaged, the police in June 2020 installed barricades around it to protect it. As a result, citizens could no longer approach the statue as before or sit on the chair next to it.

In March, Kim Byeong-heon, head of the National Action to Abolish the Comfort Women Act, who had led rallies insulting victims, was detained on charges including defamation of the deceased, and the situation began to change. Following Kim’s detention, discussions on removing the barricades gathered steam, and on this day citizens removed them themselves. It was 5 years and 11 months after the barricades were installed.

Participants in the Wednesday rally also staged a “Reunited with the Statue” performance, taking photos with the statue. Holding handmade placards, they posed for photos with messages such as “Truth always wins,” “The statue is history that must be protected,” and “The Japanese government must stop denying history.” Behind the statue, a citizen handed out “Together Butterfly” ribbons they had made. A purple wreath symbolizing peace was placed atop the statue’s head.

A 20-something office worker identified as A, who joined the rally during their company lunch break, said, “It felt like the statue had been imprisoned, but now it looks free,” and added, “Setting politics aside, because there are victims, that symbol must not be damaged.” Kim Hye-sun, head of the Association to Support Prisoners of Conscience, said, “Every time I saw the barricades draped there, it made me feel bad, but now it feels like a weight has been lifted.”

The artists who created the statue, Kim Seo-kyung and Kim Un-seok, also visited the site and carried out restoration work on the statue. Kim Seo-kyung said, “Because starting with this first statue we made, statues spread around the world, it is all the more meaningful,” and added, “I am glad it has once again become a space many people can relate to.” He said, “I worry that those who practice hate and discrimination might come and cause harm again,” and, “We will be able to protect it with the strength of the authorities and citizens.”

The police plan to continue necessary measures for on-site safety, such as deploying mobile units near the statue. An official at the Jongno Police Station said, “Since the situation on the ground differs each time, we will prepare accordingly.” On this day as well, about a dozen police officers were deployed around the rally site and watched the removal of the barricades to the end.