(코리아타운뉴스) Chuseok Party With "Comfort Women" Victims

California KA Forum hosts fundraising event on Sept. 30

Yong-soo Lee, one of the "comfort women" who later made considerable contributions in raising the awareness of imperial Japanese army's violation of human rights at a public hearing prior to the passage of HR 121, is in the United States again at age 89.

Lee attended the ceremony to commemorate the erection of the comfort women statue in San Francisco on Sept. 22.

"I feel thankful, apologetic and painful," said Lee, expressing her gratitude towards the Korean-American community.

Lee is one of the very victims whose human rights were stripped away by the Japanese army's wartime atrocities. Twenty five years ago, she first confessed the painful memories about how the Japanese army enslaved her during the World War 2. Her pioneering efforts sparked a trickle-down effect as other comfort women started joining her campaign.

"The Korean-American community has given me big strength by erecting the statue by working together with the Chinese and Filipino communities," Lee said. "Why does Japan dislike the comfort women statue? It's because they're afraid of their wrongdoings finally coming out."

"If the Japanese are afraid of the consequences for their wrongdoings, they can simply apologize genuinely," Lee said. "Once my generation passes away, we don't know what kind of lies Japan will resort to. I'd be grateful if our immigrant community and our younger generation continue to remember our painful history and work towards solving the problems."

Memebrs of the California Korean Amerian Forum plans to see the film I Can Speak with Lee on Sept. 28 at 12:30 p.m. at L.A.'s CGV mall. The film centers on how the passage of HR 121 came about after Lee's inspiring confession at the hearing.

"The Korean-American community in Southern California has prepared an opportunity to meet with Lee to discuss how we could correct and overcome Japan's wrongful history," said Hyun-jung Kim, the forum's secretary-general. "We hope to see as many people as possible at the film viewing and the fundraising event."

On Sept. 30 at 6 p.m., L.A. Koreatown's Garden Suite Hotel will host to fundraising dinner, presented by the California Korean-American Forum.
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By Hyoungjae Kim