In response to the indignant cries of 'comfort women' and their advocates, President Park Geun Hye held a press conference on January 13 to address some of the issues that were raised.
Park began, "Last year alone saw the passing of nine comfort women and now there are 46 survivors left. We must do everything in our power to ease their sorrows."
SEE ALSO: Surviving 'comfort women' and activists continue to protest the recent Japan-Korea agreement
When the main issue of the government's supposed failure to consult with the comfort women before negotiations was brought up, Park responded, "The Foreign Ministry met with the survivors and the organizations a total of 15 times and listened to their opinions. The three things they unanimously desired were that the Japanese troops admit to their involvement with the comfort women, that the Japanese government officially apologize, and that they receive compensation damages from the Japanese government. All three wishes were fully reflected during negotiations."
Further, regarding the girl statue, Park said, "It's no more or no less than what was announced at the joint press conference [between Japan and Korea]. The government can't interfere as we please with the girl statue."
Park concluded, "Anyone can criticize the results; it's regrettable that those who were responsible [in these matters] failed to initiate probable solutions and instead are using this problem as a pretext for political attack now."
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