문체부 "일본 소녀상 전시 중단 매우 유감... 창작과 표현의 자유 보존돼야"
South Korea has expressed regret over the suspended display of a statue that represents the victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery at its biggest international art festival.
Stressing that the freedom of expression must be guaranteed,... the culture ministry called for normalization.
Kan Hyeong-woo reports.
The South Korean government expressed deep regret Monday over Japan's decision to remove from its biggest international art festival... a statue of a girl representing the victims of Japan's World War II-era sexual slavery.
"The freedom of cultural and artistic creation and expression must be respected under all circumstances,... and we hope the removal of this work will be corrected quickly."
The spokesperson said the culture ministry plans to convey its position to the art festival's organizers.
The comfort women statue had been on display at the Aichi Triennale in central Japan since last Thursday... before being taken away on Saturday.
The festival organizers said the decision to suspend the display of the statue was based on "terror threats" by telephone and e-mail, but claimed it had nothing to do with earlier comments by Japanese officials... in which the mayor of Nagoya, Takashi Kawamura, publicly asked for the display to be taken down... while Japan's Chief Cabinet Secreatry, Yoshihide Suga, hinted at cutting the government's financial support for art festivals.
Asked on Monday if his comments led to the removal of the statue,... Suga said there was no pressure from the government.
Meanwhile... Japanese newspapers criticized the statue's removal.
The Asahi Shimbun said the officials' comments effectively violated freedom of expression and creation,... adding that "terror threats" are not acceptable.
The Tokyo Shimbun also reported on a statement from the Japan P.E.N. Club - a group of famous Japanese artists - calling for the statue's continued display.
Kan Hyeong-woo, Arirang News
