'Comfort woman' statue planned in France

Lee Yong-soo, 90, a victim of Japan's wartime sexual slavery, wipes her eyes as she speaks to Koreans living in France during her recent visit to Paris. / Courtesy of House of Sharing

By Kang Aa-young, Jung Min-ho

A “comfort woman” statue is expected to be erected in France to honor the victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery.

According to Ahn Shin-kwon, director of the House of Sharing, a shelter for surviving victims in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, the Gwangmyeong City Government and Koreans living in France are in favor of the idea.

“We are trying to figure out if there is a way to set up a statue in public place,” Ahn told The Korea Times Monday.

“We will surely face hurdles along the way just like we did during our San Francisco project. But we will keep pushing hard to make it happen.”

If erected, the statue will be the first comfort woman statue in France.

“We are not expecting any support from the Korean government,” Ahn said. “We plan to raise funds here and overseas to sponsor the project, which is expected to cost about 50 million won ($46,992).”

Survivor Lee Yong-soo, 90, recently visited Paris to meet Koreans there.

“Many people shed tears during her speech and suggested setting up a statue,” Ahn said.