Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung pledged Friday to restore the honor of South Korean women sexually enslaved by Japan during World War II, saying Seoul will play a central role in Asia in promoting the values of human rights and peace.

According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee expressed his commitment to addressing this historical injustice in a message delivered by his chief of staff, Kang Hoon-sik, at a ceremony honoring the so-called "comfort women." He vowed to work responsibly until the honor and dignity of each victim are fully restored.

Historians estimate that up to 200,000 women, primarily from Korea, were coerced into working in front-line brothels for Japanese soldiers during World War II, a time when Korea was under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. South Korea observes August 14 as a day of remembrance for these victims, commemorating the date in 1991 when a survivor first publicly shared her experiences of the wartime atrocities.

President Lee emphasized the importance of acknowledging these painful memories to prevent history from repeating itself. He underscored the shared societal responsibility to pass on values of human rights and peace to future generations. Lee pledged to establish a foundation dedicated to women's human rights and peace, positioning Seoul as a central player in promoting these values throughout Asia and beyond.