Breaking News: Barriers Surrounding Seoul’s Comfort Women Statue Finally Taken Down After Nearly 6 Years

Translation result Police will fully remove the barricade that has surrounded the Statue of Peace in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Seoul’s Jongno District for the first time in six years.

According to the civic group Justice and Memory (Jeonguiyeon), the Jongno Police plan to remove the barricade at noon on the 6th, ahead of the 1,751st regular Wednesday demonstration near the former embassy calling for a resolution to wartime sexual slavery by Japan’s military.

The barricade was installed in June 2020 at Justice and Memory’s request amid concerns that rallies by groups opposing the “comfort women” issue could lead to damage. It remained in place for about 5 years and 11 months.

Talks about removing the barricade intensified after Kim Byung‑heon, leader of the Citizens’ Action to Abolish the ‘Comfort Women’ Law, was arrested in March on charges that included defaming the dead.

Since the 1st of last month, police have been temporarily removing the barricade for each Wednesday protest. Justice and Memory sent a formal letter to police on the 16th of last month requesting that it be taken down permanently on the 6th.

At the protest, Justice and Memory will stage a performance titled “The Reunited Statue.” Participants will hold hand-written signs describing the world they want and pose for commemorative photos.

Police say they will keep riot police units stationed nearby even after the barricade is removed.