The Association of Returnees from China (中国帰還者連絡会, Chūgoku Kikansha Renraku Kai, commonly abbreviated as Chūkiren) was established on September 24, 1957, by former soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army who had been repatriated to Japan after being detained as war criminals at the Fushun War Criminals Management Centre in China. During their detention, they underwent intensive political reeducation by the Chinese Communist Party. A year after returning to Japan, they formed the organization with the aim of promoting friendship between Japan and China and contributing to peace. Its members publicly testified about wartime atrocities, including those associated with Unit 731, the Japanese military “Comfort Women” system, and the Nanjing Massacre. They often faced fierce opposition from Japanese nationalists and militarists, who denounced them as communists or claimed that they had been “brainwashed” by the Chinese government. As its members advanced in age, the organization was dissolved in 2002.
ALPHA Education is a non-profit and charity in Canada that promotes critical-historical inquiry into World War II in Asia to contribute to peace and reconciliation. https://www.alphaeducation.org
National Museum of Korean Contemporary History was established in Seoul in 2012, The museum presents Korea's modern history from the opening of Incheon Port to the present through exhibitions, educational programs, and the research and collection of historical materials.
A weekly demonstration held every Wednesday at noon in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul since January 8, 1992, calling for an official apology, reparations, education, and other measures to resolve the issue of the Japanese military “comfort women.” Since 1992, it has been recorded as the longest-running protest in the world and has become a symbol of the solidarity movement for the comfort women.
Based in Warsaw, Poland, the Unaweza Foundation aims to organize educational, housing, healthcare, and other public welfare initiatives for women, families, children, and youth worldwide, provide financial and legal assistance, and ensure equal opportunities. It is currently fundraising for SEMA to assist victims of wartime sexual violence in Ukraine. (https://www.unaweza.org/komu-pomagamy/pomoc-kobietom-ktore-doswiadczyly-gwaltow-wojennych/)
징 윌리엄스 교수는 가르치는 학생들 중에 여성 인권 옹호자가 나올 수도 있기 때문에 자신의 '위안부' 교육을 '미래를 위한 씨앗을 심는 과정'이라고 생각한다.
평화의 소녀상은 이제 여성 인권의 상징으로, 베를린 미테구 모아빗에서 수많은 주민들과의 소통을 통해 평화를 전파하게 되었다. 아픈 자에 공감하고 정의를 추구하는 것이 바로 평화이다. 베를린 주민들은 이제 평화의 소녀상을 향해 외친다. “평화의 소녀상은 우리의 소녀상!“
손성숙 (사회정의교육재단 대표)