UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon's Support For South Korea's Deal With Japan On 'Comfort Women' Causes Controversy
After the compromise agreement reached by South Korea and Japan on the controversial issue of wartime "comfort women," United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon triggered wide criticisms and public uproar from several victims and activists for expressing his support to it.
In a statement released by the secretary-general's spokesperson, Ban "appreciates President Park Geun-Hye of the Republic of Korea and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan for their leadership and vision for the betterment of the relationship between the two countries."
The Korea Herald noted Jan. 1 that several Facebook and Twitter users expressed their disappointment with the former foreign minister of South Korea because of his failure to consult the aged victims who refused to accept the agreement.
A forensic psychologist named Pyo Chang Won expressed his dismay to the support Ban gave towards the Japanese government.
"Whatever the reason, it will be very disappointing if you consume your honor and image as the first-ever Korean U.N. secretary-general to take sides with some domestic political power, which will greatly damage the people's pride and the victims' dignity," Pyo's said in statement on Facebook.
The Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, a civic group who advocates for the victims, along with several other activists, students, and the victims themselves remained firm in their position that the South Korean government should retract the deal.
Moreover, they also disliked the idea of removing the erected statue of the girl in front of the Japanese Embassy which represents wartime comfort women.
