2020 "I am not a 'comfort woman'" Teach-In
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"I am not a 'comfort woman'...I am Lee Yong Soo, a name my mother and father created for me."
Wednesday, January 8, 2020, marked the 28th year since the first Wednesday Demonstration on January 8, 1992. KAN-WIN partnered with the HANA Center and the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan in commemorating the 28th year of Wednesday Demonstrations demanding the Japanese government's official apology and legal reparations. Dr. Elizabeth Son led a teach-in on the history of Japanese military sexual slavery before and during World War II, the activism that has emerged in support of the survivors, and the status of the movement today. |
2019 "Justice for the 'Comfort Woman'" (Justice Hotel at 6018|North)
“Justice for the “Comfort Women” was hosted by 6018North. 6018North is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of culture and the arts in Chicago. For the 2019 Architecture Biennial, Justice Hotel at 6018North featured site-specific installations and performances, and Justice for the “Comfort Women” was one of the main projects.
October 9 and October 16: Screening My Name is Kim Bok-Dong
October 10, October 11, October 17, and October 18: Conversational Dinner with Korean Food
The conversational dinner covered topics regarding the theme “Justice for the 'Comfort Woman.'” The SAIC Korean Student Association students and S.Y Lim facilitated the conversation. Two members from The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan also talked about the history and the then-current situation.
October 12 and October 19: Performing as Remembering and Politicizing
Ada Cheng, a storyteller and a storytelling show producer, performed a survivor's story, followed with a facilitated dialogue on performing survivors' stories and its artistic, political, ethical, and moral implications.
2016 Rally Against the December 2015 South Korea-Japan Agreement
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KAN-WIN was deeply disappointed by the 2015 South Korean-Japanese Agreement regarding “comfort women.” KAN-WIN had closely followed and supported the survivors’ struggle for justice and dignity, and the news of this settlement, specifically its conditions and the disregard of the survivors’ voices and demands, was a huge disappointment.
KAN-WIN and the Korean American Resource and Cultural Center (KRCC) along with other Korean community organizations jointly hosted the protest on January 6, 2016, the 24th anniversary of the Wednesday Demonstration. The protest was held in Chicago in front of the Consulate–General of Japan. |
2015 The Million signatures Project
Held on August 12, 2015 at Millennium Park.
What is the Million Signatures Project?
The Million Signatures project is an international effort to collect one million signatures to petition for the Japanese government to publicly acknowledge the “comfort women,” offer a formal apology to the survivors, and provide them with reparations.
Why is the Million Signatures Project important?
The Million Signatures project is so important because “comfort women” survivors have little time left, as they are now quite advanced in age, and still need justice for the war crimes committed against them and countless other women during World War II. These signatures show the collective effort of people around the globe to help the “comfort women” survivors shed light on this issue and bring justice to women affected by wartime violence.
2014 Calling for Justice for "Comfort Women" in Chicago
On Wednesday, August 13, 2014, KAN-WIN, Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network, and Rape Victim Advocates partnered to organize a rally in downtown Chicago calling for justice for “comfort women” survivors. This rally was inspired by the Wednesday Demonstrations that have been held in Seoul every Wednesday since 1992 in front of the Japanese Embassy.
2013 First International “Comfort Women” Memorial Day
Three organizations’ representatives—Youngju Ji, Executive Director of KAN-WIN, Sik Sohn, Executive Director of KRCC, and Ana Romero, CMBWN CTI director—visited the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago to deliver a joint statement about “comfort women” survivors. The letter was not well-received and the committee was escorted out of the building by security.