1. The government of the Republic of Korea held the ‘Public-Private Consultation Meeting’ (hereinafter referred to as “the meeting”) on the “comfort women” issue on June 4. The meeting was presided over by Minister for Government Policy Coordination Koo Yun-cheol, with the attendance of Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun and Vice Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Kyong-seon.

◦ This meeting was held, based on the underlying principle of the victim-centered approach, to listen to opinions on the “comfort women” issue from various sectors including the victim support organizations, legal representatives of the civil actions filed by “comfort women” victims against the government of Japan, and academic experts.

2. Minister for Government Policy Coordination Koo Yun-cheol emphasized that it was most meaningful that the public and private sectors came together to share views candidly on the “comfort women” issue.

​3. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun explained the government’s position on the civil actions filed by the victims against the government of Japan and the current status of consultation with Japan regarding the “comfort women” issue. Vice Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Kyong-seon briefed the participants on the support programs for the victims and plans for commemorative projects to restore the honor of “comfort women” victims.

◦ In addition, the participants including the supporting organizations, academic experts, and legal representatives expressed diverse opinions on the “comfort women” issue based on their expertise and vast experience on in-person communications with the victims.

4. The government of the Republic of Korea will continue its victim-centered efforts to listen to the voices from various sectors on the “comfort women” issue.