Downtown in Glendale in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Korean Comfort Women Statue
Peace Monument
In Memory of more than 200,000 Asian and Dutch women who were removed from their homes in Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, East Timor, and Indonesia, to be coerced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Armed Forces of Japan between 1932 and 1945.
And in celebration of proclamation of "Comfort Women Day" by the City of Glendale on July 30, 2012, and of passing of House Resolution 121 by the United States Congress on July 30, 2007, urging the Japanese Government to accept historical responsibility for these crimes.
It is our sincere hope that these unconscionable violations of human rights shall never recur.
"I was a sex slave of Japanese military".
Torn hair symbolizes the girl being snatched from her home by the Imperial Japanese Army.
Tight fists represent the girl's firm resolve for a deliverance of justice.
Bare and unsettled feet represent having been abandoned by the cold and unsympathetic world.
Bird on the girl's shoulder symbolizes a bond between us and the deceased victims.
Empty chair symbolizes survivors who are dying of old age without having yet witnessed justice.
Shadow of the girl is that of an old grandma, symbolizing passage of time spent in silence.
Butterfly in shadow represents hope that victims may resurrect one day to receive their apology.
Erected 2013 by Korean American Forum of California.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Civil Rights • War, World II.
Location. 34° 8.612′ N, 118° 15.203′ W. Marker is in Glendale, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Downtown. Memorial can be reached from Colorado Street east of Brand Boulevard. Located at the Adult Recreation Center, south of the library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 E Colorado Street, Glendale CA 91205, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Masonic Temple (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Glendale Main Post Office (approx. ¼ mile away); Security Trust and Savings Bank (approx. ¼ mile away); Glendale Y.M.C.A. (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alex Theatre (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hotel Glendale (approx. 0.4 miles away); Goode House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Richardson Home (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glendale.
More about this marker. This is a replica of the original statue located in Seoul, South Korea.
Regarding Korean Comfort Women Statue. This statue has faced opposition from Japanese nationalists who insist comfort women were not slaves but willing participants. This statue has been vandalized a number of times. In 2014, a group that opposes recognition of comfort women filed a lawsuit that sought the removal of the statue. The suit was rejected by a U.S. District Court. The decision was upheld again in 2016 at the appellate level. In 2017 the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case, validating its right to remain in the park and giving a green light for future statues to be placed all over the United States.
Additional keywords. Peace Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 697 times since then and 72 times this year. Last updated on September 4, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 30, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on January 21, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.