Ⅰ. Guaranteeing the Fundamental Human Freedoms: 1. Right to Life and Personal Liberty
Professor Ramseyer’s paper and the assertion was highly criticized in Korea, as
well. The government maintained a position that the paper is not worth responding
to, but the politicians, civic groups and media stated that Prof. Ramseyer’s paper
distorted history and violated the rights of the Japanese military ‘comfort women.’
However, people who made similar claims as Prof. Ramseyer asserted the freedom
of academic and thoughts.
On the other hand, the “Wednesday Demonstration’ (regular demonstration on
Wednesday to resolve the Japanese military sex slavery issue) conducted in front of
the Japanese Embassy continued for over 1,500 times since 1992, but the
demonstration continued as a 1-person press conference due to COVID-19
restrictions. The Wednesday Demonstration resumed in Nov. 1, 2021, but the
people against the Wednesday Demonstration (‘Opposition Rally’)’s opposition
and insulting remarks, etc. became controversial. These people registered for a
rally in the Wednesday Demonstration site in advance or held pickets nearby, with
words including ‘Instigating with Lies,’ ‘Stop the Comfort Women Sham,’ or
‘Dissolve the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of
Military Sexual Slavery by Japan,” etc.
The police were deployed to prevent any conflict between the Wednesday
Demonstration and the Opposition Rally. However, the insulting remarks and
sexual harrassment of some Youtubers and conservative groups have become
problematic, and the NHRCK requested the police chief for assertive measures to
protect the Japanese military ‘comfort women’ and people participating in the
Wednesday Demonstration through an emergency relief decision of Jan. 13, 2022.28)
28) NHRCK, Jan. 13, 2022, Decision No. 22Emergency0000100
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