- Title: USA: A memorial to World War II "Comfort Woman" is unveiled in Virginia
- Date: 31st May 2014
- Summary: FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES (MAY 30, 2014) (REUTERS) WOMEN DANCERS WALKING TO MEMORIAL SERVICE DRUMMERS PLAYING
- Embargoed: 15th June 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Crime,History,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA3O63LSUR65YYNM1U6PFSWAFAA
- Story Text: A memorial to human trafficking was unveiled in Fairfax County, Virginia on Friday (May 30).
The Comfort Women Memorial Peace Garden was built in remembrance of the so-called "comfort women." The memorial is an homage to women, many of them Korean, who were forced to serve
Japanese soldiers in wartime military brothels during World War II.
Il-Chun Kang, was one "Comfort Women" and was a guest of honor from South Korea. Kang cut the tape to unveil the memorial and watched a service from a butterfly shaped bench that overlooks the memorial.
She had to fight back the tears as a live performance of "Arirang" was played. After a dance performance from Jeong Sook Park, Kang spoke to those in attendance.
"As you know the Japanese government should make a prompt apology for the comfort woman issues," Kang said.
The unveiling has created a controversy as many Japanese people believe the women were prostitutes who were working in the sex trade on their own free will.
The Japan-based group Japanese Women for Justice and Peace believe the memorial, like other built around the United States, serves as a propaganda vehicle against Japan. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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