Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder visits survivors of sexual slavery in colonial times and World War II and delivers a photograph of a statue of Anne Frank, at the House of Sharing, a shelter for the victims, in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do Province, on Sept. 11. Gwangmyeong Mayor Yang Ki-dae hands him a photograph of a flower garden that students at the Statue of Peace, a monument that symbolizes the survivors of sexual slavery.
By Min Yea-Ji and Kim Young Shin
Photos = Gwangmyeong-si City
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder visited the House of Sharing on Sept. 11, a shelter for victims of sexual slavery during colonial times and World War II.
Gwangmyeong Mayor Yang Ki-dae invited the former chancellor to the shelter.
“Mayor Yang Ki-dae has long been a friend of the House of Sharing. He previously invited the survivors to the Gwangmyeong Cave, a tourist attraction in the city, and donated one percent of the profits from the site to the shelter,” said a Gwangmyeong City official. “He invited Former Chancellor Schröder this time because it was he who apologized and compensated victims in Germany’s neighboring countries. His visit could offer consolation to the survivors and send a message to Japan.”
Former Chancellor Schröder arrived at the House of Sharing at 3 p.m. and laid a bouquet of flowers in silent tribute at the monument just outside the shelter. Ahn Shin-Kwon, a manager at the shelter, briefed him on the Statue of Peace, symbolic of the survivors of sexual slavery, and explained the busts of victims who have already passed away. Schröder also toured the “Museum of Sexual Slavery Committed by the Japanese Military.” He personally met four survivors: Lee Yong-Su, Lee Ok-Sun, Park Ok-Sun and Ha Jeom-Yeon, all in their 90s.
“I heard that what the survivors want is nothing but an acknowledgement of what happened and an apology, not revenge out of any sense of hatred,” said the former chancellor. “I sincerely hope that this will happen while they are still alive.”
Lee Yong-Su, a surviving victim of sexual slavery from colonial times and World War II, presents a badge that commemorates the wartime victims of sexual slavery.
Lee Yong-Su, one of the survivors, personally placed a badge on Schröder’s jacket that represents the Statue of Peace. She said, “I believe that the victims of the Holocaust would be happy because they received an apology from former Chancellor Schröder. I will not forget that he came all the way here to hold my hand today.”
The former German chancellor delivered a photograph of a statue of Anne Frank and donated KRW 10 million to the shelter. In return, the House of Sharing gave him a painting of Kim Sun-Deok, a late victim, and a miniature of the Statue of Peace.
In the visitors’ book, the former chancellor wrote, “With tears for their immense pain” (Mit Tränen für ein großes Leid).
jesimin@korea.kr
