Lee was present at a conference at the San Francisco city council on September 15. (image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 16(Korea Bizwire) -Lee Yong-soo(87), a surviving’ comfort woman’ to the Japanese army,has urged San Francisco’s city council to build a monument dedicated to comfort women.
Lee was present at a conference at the San Francisco city council on September 15, and plead with officials to pass are solution to build a monument to comfort women.
With a voice shaky with mixed emotions, she emphasized that she stood as a witness for all the women in the world and their rights. “I’m Lee Yong-soo, a living proof of history. Please resolve the deep sorrow in my heart. Please build a monument for us comfort women in this beautiful city of San Francisco.”
Eric Ma, a member of the city council,proposed a resolution to build a monument dedicated to comfort women in July. The resolution is currently under consideration, and will be decided at a meeting to be held on September 22.
Due to requests from Korean and Chinese members of human rights organizations, councilor Ma invited Lee to speak. Many who attended the event wore black t-shirts with a yellow butterfly, which represents the comfort women.
A Jewish citizen who has been working at an organization which commemorates the victims of the Jewish holocaust expressed the urge to offer support. “Comfort women are also victims of the war, just like the victims of the Jewish holocaust.”
A number of Japanese citizens also showed their support, denouncing sex slavery, and emphasizing that the lessons of history shouldn’t be forgotten.
However, some Japanese organizations are said to be opposed to the resolution.
After testifying, Lee met with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and listened to supporting statements from San Francisco citizens.
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
