[인터뷰] 이번엔 베를린... 지속적인 철거 위협받는 소녀상
[Date Registered] 2024-06-03 [Views] 2054
"Berlin has 18 partner cities, and Tokyo is especially important to us," stated Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner, according to a report by the German newspaper Tagesspiegel. While discussing the possibility of cooperation between Berlin and Tokyo, Mayor Wegner also commented on the issue concerning the Statue of Peace.
"A depiction that takes one side must no longer be maintained." Mayor Wegner referred to the Statue of Peace, erected on public land in Berlin's Mitte district, as a "depiction that takes one side" (einseitige Darstellung), suggesting the possibility of its removal. According to the Berlin city government, Mayor Wegner is in discussion with the relevant district office, the federal government, and other involved parties, and stated that the Japanese Ambassador to Germany would be allowed to participate in the discussions. However, they are not engaging in dialogue with the Korean civic group that erected the statue, Korea Verband.
A similar incident occurred in 2023 in the city of Kassel, in the German state of Hesse. The Statue of Peace, installed under the initiative of the General Student Committee (AStA) at the University of Kassel, was forcibly removed before its first anniversary. The statue was installed with official permission on public land managed by the AStA on the university campus, but was ultimately forcibly removed. The university administration posted a notice on the University of Kassel website stating that "it was agreed that the statue would be displayed until the winter semester".
Ms. Hong So-hyun has resided in Germany for 21 years since 2003. She participated in the 'Statue Keeper Wednesday Demonstration' on campus regarding the forced removal of the Statue of Peace at the University of Kassel. Ms. Hong has observed the pressures faced by the Statue of Peace in Germany over a long period. We discussed Mayor Wegner's recent remarks and the future position of the statue with her.
< German newspaper Tagesspiegel's report concerning Mayor Wegner's statement - Source: 'TAGESSPIEGEL' >
Hello. Please introduce yourself first.
Hello. I am Hong So-hyun, currently residing in Kassel. I participate as a citizen of Kassel in the organization called 'InitiativeSaveNujin'.
What is your opinion on Mayor Wegner's statement?
I would first like to say that his statement is biased. He thinks the statue is a one-sided expression, but I believe the statement itself is biased towards Japan. The statue is not a work of art that defames someone's honor; it is a work that conveys historical facts. That history is also proven by rulings, and August 14th has been designated as the 'Comfort Women Victims Memorial Day'. The point is not to criticize Japan, but to inform everyone of the historical truth and hope that such an incident never happens again based on that fact. I believe he would never have made such a statement if he had known this.
Threats against the Statue of Peace continue in Germany. Why do you think this is happening?
Even when the statue was installed at the University of Kassel, AStA (the student self-governance body) communicated the overall situation. They conveyed that immediately after the statue was installed, the university administration was having difficulties due to pressure from Japan. We couldn't prove it, as it was hearsay. However, this incident is blatant. The Berlin Mayor mentioned the statue while discussing cooperation after visiting Tokyo. Mayor Wegner referred to it as a "one-sided depiction" (einseitige Darstellung), but no German citizen has claimed that it is one-sided. Only Japan is making that claim, and seeing Mayor Wegner support it, we can only conclude that Japanese pressure is the reason. Therefore, I view this incident as a case where what was previously only rumored has been brought to the surface.
So you believe this incident confirms the suspicion?
From our perspective, yes. I believe this incident serves as clear evidence of how the Japanese government is responding to the Statue of Peace issue.
What is the Korean community's reaction to this incident?
It is frustrating. However, the Koreans currently in Kassel do not seem to be fully aware. Those who are directly involved in activities with us know the situation and are angry, but those who have disconnected their interest do not seem to know. There are also some who are uncomfortable with the statue's presence from a diplomatic perspective.
German students were also present at the 'Statue Keeper Wednesday Demonstration' at the University of Kassel. Could you share their reaction to this incident?
They, like us, are very surprised, asking, "How could Mayor Wegner speak so openly?".