Home of far-right activist raided over defamation of statues representing victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery

▲ A memorial statue symbolizing victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery is seen near the former Japanese Embassy in Seoul, in this file photo taken Dec. 28, 2025. (Yonhap)

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Home of far-right activist raided over defamation of statues representing victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery

SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Yonhap) -- Police on Monday searched the home of a far-right activist under investigation for defaming statues of a girl representing victims who were forced to Japan's wartime brothels during World War II, a police official said.

Investigators carried out the search and seizure at the residence of Kim Byung-heon, who heads a far-right group, and faces charges of defamation of the deceased and violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act.

Kim's group has recently stirred controversy for staging a campaign calling for dismantling the statues. The group is accused of staging unregistered rallies near statues symbolizing the former sex slaves in Seoul with a banner disparaging the victims.

Earlier this month, the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education filed a complaint against Kim to police, demanding he and his group's members be punished.

Historians estimate that up to 200,000 women, mostly from Korea, were forced to work in front-line brothels for Japanese soldiers during the war. Korea was a Japanese colony from 1910-45.

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