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The statue of the German girl in Berlin, which was on the brink of demolition due to Japan’s tenacious lobby, can now hold its place.
However, Japan shows no signs of improvement in relations between Korea and Japan, such as raising the issue of compensation for compulsory military service as a condition for Prime Minister Suga’s visit to Korea.
Therefore, it is unclear whether the Korea-China-Japan summit, which will take place in Korea, will take place this year.
We will connect reporters to discuss in detail. Reporter Lim Seong-ho!
The statue of the Girl of Peace installed in Berlin was originally supposed to be demolished until today, but isn’t it?
[기자]Yes, Mitte Ward’s Berlin office withdrew the demolition order.
However, the situation has not ended, and the lawsuit has been filed, so it is intended to await the court’s ruling.
The District Office also revealed that the girl’s statue was under pressure from all directions.
It is explained that not only the Japanese living in Berlin, but also the state and federal governments raised the problem.
The district office added that it hopes to reach a compromise that reflects the Japanese side’s position with the “Council of Korea”, which installed the girl’s statue.
[앵커]What is the local environment like?
[기자]Yesterday a protest against the demolition took place in front of the girl’s statue and hundreds of people gathered.
Korean residents and activists from German civic groups, as well as teachers of Japanese studies in Germany, are known to take this problem seriously.
Let’s hear the story of Han Jeong-hwa, executive director of the Korean Council.
[한정화 / 독일 ‘코리아협의회’ 대표 : 독일 전체적인 시민들, 교수들, 일반인들 모든 사람들이 지금 이거는 굉장히 부당하다고 나섰고요. 지금 서명운동 해서 8000명 서명도 들어오고, 서명운동도 각기각처에서 시작이 돼서 저희도 어디서, 뭐가 진행되고 있는지 모를 정도입니다.]It seems that the active efforts of the Germans to protect the statue of the girl are based on the recognition that the statue of the girl symbolizes the universal values of humanity, such as sexual violence against war, peace, the rights of the women and freedom of expression.
[앵커]Japan even went directly to the foreign minister to demolish the girl’s statue. How is the response of our Foreign Ministry?
[기자]First of all, it clearly criticizes that Japan’s behavior is wrong. Let’s listen.
[이재웅 / 외교부 부대변인(어제) : 이번 건과 관련된 일본 정부의 최근 언행은 스스로 표명한 일본군 위안부 피해자에 대한 책임 통감과 사죄, 반성의 정신에 역행하는 행보라고 봅니다.]However, it is necessary to consider whether it is appropriate for the government to come forward, but our position is that the statue of the girl is not a diplomatic dispute between Korea and Japan, but rather, as I mentioned above, represents the universal value of humanity, and it is also true.
That is why it is also receiving favorable responses from the local community, and there is concern that the nature of the problem will change due to the problems between Korea and Japan if the government moves forward.
The Korean Council, which established the statue of the girl, also expressed opposition to the intervention of the Foreign Ministry, saying that they are a German civic group and have been working independently.
[앵커]The issue of compensation for compulsory military service has not been resolved. With Japan’s hard-line position, is the Korea-China-Japan summit in crisis?
[기자]Yes, Japan is in the position that Prime Minister Suga cannot visit Korea unless the issue of compensation for forced labor is resolved.
However, it is impossible for the Korean government to virtually invalidate the Supreme Court compensation judgment requested by Japan.
That is why the Korea-China-Japan Summit is practically collapsed, such an evaluation comes out, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still open to the possibility of holding the Summit within this year.
It is also reported that practical preparations for the summit are continuing. The Korean government is considering various compromises regarding the issue of conscription, but it is unclear whether a solution will come out as Japan adheres to the position that they were all resolved through the claim settlement.
[앵커]Meanwhile, is the process of selling assets of the Japanese war criminal enterprise one by one?
[기자]Yes, the procedure for the sale of shares owned by Japanese companies seized by victims of forced labor is ongoing.
Documents related to the lawsuit will be notified to the public and will take effect on December 9, but it is not possible to sell them immediately and there are many steps to follow.
It is up to the court’s judgment how quickly the proceedings will be carried out, and it is clear that Japanese companies will use all means, such as not receiving the documents or filing an objection each time.
Therefore, there is a possibility that the actual sale may take up to 3 years or more.
If the sale goes through, Japan’s retaliatory measures will worsen relations between Korea and Japan, with some pointing out that the two countries must find a solution somehow before then.
This is YTN Seongho Lim.
