In 2017, the South Korean National Assembly legislated August 14 as the national memorial day for victims of the "comfort women" system, and the government has since held official commemorative events every year. This entry records the establishment and operation of this mechanism.
I. Establishment of the mechanism: In November 2017, the South Korean National Assembly passed an amendment to the Act on Support for Victims of the Japanese Military "Comfort Women," designating August 14 (the date of Kim Hak-sun's first public testimony in 1991) as a statutory national memorial day. (Sources: CCTV.com 2017-11-24; People's Daily Japan Channel 2017-11-27)
II. Annual operation: The South Korean government holds an official memorial ceremony every August 14. On the 14th memorial day in 2026, the South Korean president stated at the government ceremony that he would "take full responsibility" to restore the victims' honor; civic groups across South Korea held rallies. (Sources: CCTV News 2026-08-12; public reports)
III. Status: Action status — Concluded (annual routine mechanism; the 2026 activities have been completed); the mechanism continues to operate.
(Sources: CCTV.com 2017-11-24; People's Daily Japan Channel 2017-11; CCTV News 2026-08-12. Data date: 2026-08-14.)