The Botanical Gardens That Have Controversial Statues Are Handed Over To The South Korean Government

The statue drew criticism from Japan when it was unveiled last year. (Source: VOA News YouTube Screenshot)

JAKARTA - A private botanical garden located in Pyeongchang, Gangwon, South Korea, which caused a stir in 2020, will be handed over by the owner to the South Korean government.

This botanical garden has attracted controversy as well as international attention, after installing a statue of a man kneeling before a statue that symbolizes a comfort woman.

Announced on Tuesday, July 6, the planned handover of the botanical gardens to the government was not accompanied by the handover of the two eye-catching bronze statues, according to the garden's founder.

The bronze figure, which appears to be bowing to the statue of the girl in penance, became controversial in 2020 last year because many said it resembled then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Kim Chang Ryeol, who founded the botanical garden, said he would personally manage the statues. The consideration is that the ownership of the statue by the South Korean government will affect the bilateral relationship between the Ginseng Country and Japan.

Comfort woman statue. (Source: VOA News YouTube Screenshot)

The donation is intended to keep the park open for the long term. Kim said he found it difficult to continue running the garden both physically and economically, as quoted by Kyodo News July 6.

Sometime after the donation ceremony on Wednesday July 7, Kim intends to step down as garden head. But he stressed there were no plans to move or relocate the statues.

The statues entitled 'Everlasting Atonement' will remain in the garden section, where visitors can stroll around. An organization under the Korean Forest Service will manage the park.

Kim, who views the statues as works of art, is considering holding exhibitions in Tokyo and elsewhere by temporarily removing the statues. While he is seeking support in Japan for the project, he has not been contacted about it.

Located in Pyeongchang, northeast of South Korea, this botanical garden was built by Kim with his own money. He obtained development funds through his agriculture and other businesses.

Residents visit the park where the statue is located. (Source: VOA News YouTube Screenshot)

To note, the issue of former comfort women remains a diplomatic flashpoint between the two neighbours. Earlier this year, a South Korean court ruled that the Japanese government should pay compensation to victims of sex slavery during World War II.

Reporting the Koreatimes Friday, January 8, the Seoul Central District Court ordered Japan to compensate 100 million Korean won per person for 12 South Korean women who were forced to work as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during combat.

"Evidence, relevant materials and testimony show that the victims suffered extreme and unimaginable mental and physical pain as a result of the illegal acts by the accused. However, no compensation was given for their suffering," the court said in a ruling.

Reporting Reuters, the lawyer for the victims Kim Kang-won said he was moved by this decision, because the Japanese government was finally deemed to be responsible for the atrocities.

This decision received a strong response from Tokyo. At the same time, it can revive the diplomatic feud between Japan and South Korea.

The Japanese government said the issue had been resolved under a 1965 treaty that normalized diplomatic relations. And, through an agreement in 2015, the two countries according to the Japanese side have also agreed to end the problem permanently.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato called the decision unacceptable, while urging the South Korean government to take appropriate action.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Takeo Akiba summoned South Korean Ambassador Nam Gwan-pyo to protest against the decision.