The “comfort women” statue in Berlin (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Korea Bizwire) – The mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, who has publicly opposed the continued presence of a statue commemorating victims of wartime sexual slavery, known as “comfort women,” has now reportedly exerted pressure to cut funding for the civic group responsible for erecting the memorial, according to local media reports.
German broadcaster RBB, citing an anonymous source, reported on August 3 that Wegner personally called a member of the advisory committee responsible for reviewing cultural and educational project funding.
The mayor allegedly urged for the reduction of the budget allocated to Korea Verband, a German-Korean civic group, citing potential conflicts with the Japanese government.
Korea Verband, which spearheaded the installation of the “comfort women” statue in Berlin in 2020, had applied for a grant of 87,000 euros for its human rights education program.
While the application initially passed the first round of review by a panel of arts and education experts, it was ultimately rejected in April by an advisory committee composed of both internal and external members of the Berlin city government.
Since 2021, Korea Verband has been conducting human rights education for Berlin youth under the project name “Sit Next to Me,” addressing issues of wartime sexual violence and broader topics of sexual abuse.
The organization reports having educated over 300 individuals with annual support from the Berlin city government. However, due to this year’s budget cut, the project has been suspended since May, according to Korea Verband.
Berlin city authorities stated, “Project funding decisions are made by majority vote, and the committee proceedings are not public. Therefore, we cannot comment on or evaluate the committee’s decisions.”
The RBB report also alleged that the Japanese Embassy in Germany lobbied advisory committee members over dinner at a five-star hotel in Berlin, urging them to oppose the funding.
Residents of Mitte district in Berlin, Germany, hand a petition to Mitte district council chairwoman Yelizaveta Kam (L) on 31 July. (Yonhap)
The Japanese Embassy did not respond to RBB’s inquiry about the lobbying allegations. However, officials criticized Korea Verband’s human rights education, claiming it “spreads a one-sided narrative” and “instills anti-Japanese sentiment in young Germans who lack knowledge about Asia.”
Han Jung-hwa, a representative of Korea Verband, refuted these claims, stating, “Our education covers general issues of sexual violence and does not unilaterally criticize Japan. There was no Japan-related content in our project application.”
The statue’s installation in September 2020 prompted strong opposition from Japan, leading the local Mitte district office to order its removal. This order was suspended when Korea Verband filed for an injunction in court.
In May, Wegner met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa in Tokyo, suggesting the statue’s removal by stating that while he supports monuments against violence towards women, there should be no more unilateral expressions.
The Mitte district office, which has administrative authority over the statue, has also stated that the special permit period ended in September 2022 and that fines would be imposed after September 28.
Korea Verband has said that the group will not voluntarily remove the statue, even if it means continuing to pay fines.
The city of Berlin, Germany (Image courtesy of Pexels/CCL)
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
