South Korea is one of the regions with the most sustained international advocacy for the "comfort women" issue, with actions encompassing victim lawsuits, long-term protests, memorial facilities, historical education, and the preservation of international archives.
I. Background: Since the 1990s, South Korean victims and NGOs have consistently demanded that the Japanese government assume responsibility. In 2011, the "Statue of Peace" was erected in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, becoming an important site for long-term commemoration and protests. Disputes surrounding the Japanese government's responsibility, the 2015 South Korea-Japan agreement, and the individual rights of victims to pursue legal action have continued to be a part of the South Korean judicial and diplomatic agenda.
II. Recent Developments: In August 2025, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed a preference for maintaining the 2015 South Korea-Japan "comfort women" agreement, while emphasizing that Japan should still face the victims and continue communication. In September 2026, South Korean NGOs again pushed for the inclusion of "Voices of the Comfort Women" related materials in UNESCO's "Memory of the World Register," demanding the resumption of the long-stagnant international archive registration process. The relevant materials were jointly promoted by non-governmental organizations from South Korea, China, and other countries and regions. The core content includes survivor testimonies and related historical materials.
III. Status: Action Status – Under Procedural Review (Legal accountability and historical memory efforts continue; the application for the "Comfort Women's Voices" archive is still in the international registration promotion stage and cannot be described as having completed formal registration with UNESCO).