Anti-Japan Group Leader Arrested Under National Security Law - Controversy Over 'Comfort Women Statue Protection' Activities

**Shocking Arrest of Activist Group Leader**

On June 26, 2025, South Korean police made headlines by arresting the leader of the controversial activist group 'Anti-Japan Action' under the National Security Law. The arrest of Mr. Jung, the group's representative, has sparked intense debate about the boundaries between legitimate activism and activities deemed threatening to national security. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Security Investigation Division arrested Jung at his residence on charges of violating Article 7 of the National Security Law, which prohibits praising, encouraging, or propagating activities of anti-state organizations. However, in a surprising turn of events, Jung was released the same day at around 4 PM after questioning, with police stating that the charges were not severe enough to warrant a detention warrant. This incident has brought renewed attention to the complex relationship between anti-Japanese sentiment, legitimate historical activism, and national security concerns in contemporary South Korea.

The Anti-Japan Action group has been a prominent fixture in Seoul's activist landscape, organizing weekly Wednesday rallies at the Peace Monument (comfort women statue) in Susong-dong, Jongno-gu. These gatherings, which they call 'Comfort Women Statue Protection' rallies, have been ongoing for years as part of broader efforts to keep alive the memory of wartime sexual slavery victims. The group's activities extend beyond these weekly vigils, encompassing various forms of protest against what they perceive as insufficient Japanese acknowledgment of historical wrongdoings and inadequate government responses to historical justice issues.

**The Charges and Police Investigation**

The charges against Jung stem from Article 7 of the National Security Law, which specifically targets individuals who knowingly endanger national security or the liberal democratic order by praising, encouraging, or propagating activities of anti-state organizations or their members. Police allege that Jung possessed what they classify as 'seditious materials' and expressed support for pro-North Korean positions. The investigation revealed that during a search of Jung's residence and the Anti-Japan Action office in August 2024, authorities discovered publications from the People's Democratic Party, which police consider to be seditious materials. This discovery has led investigators to believe that the Anti-Japan Action group may have connections to organizations with pro-North Korean leanings.

The police investigation has been ongoing for months, with authorities repeatedly requesting Jung's voluntary appearance for questioning. When Jung failed to comply with these summons, police obtained an arrest warrant and executed it at his residence. The fact that Jung was released without detention suggests that while police found grounds for investigation, the evidence was not substantial enough to justify prolonged custody. This pattern reflects the delicate balance Korean authorities must strike when dealing with activist groups that operate in the gray area between legitimate political expression and activities that may threaten national security.

**Understanding the Anti-Japan Action Group**

The Anti-Japan Action group represents a particular strand of Korean activism that combines historical justice advocacy with broader anti-establishment sentiment. Founded as an organization dedicated to preserving the memory of comfort women and opposing what they see as insufficient Japanese accountability for wartime atrocities, the group has evolved into a more broadly focused activist organization. Their weekly Wednesday rallies at the comfort women statue have become a symbol of persistent demands for historical justice, drawing participants who range from elderly survivors of Japanese colonial rule to young activists passionate about historical memory.

However, police investigations suggest that the group's activities extend beyond historical justice advocacy. Authorities believe that some members of the organization have exhibited pro-North Korean tendencies, particularly in their criticism of South Korea-US military exercises, which they have characterized as 'invasion practice.' The group has also advocated for the abolition of the National Security Law itself, viewing it as a tool of political oppression. This broader political agenda has brought them under scrutiny from security agencies, who are tasked with monitoring organizations that may pose threats to national security. The complexity of the group's identity - simultaneously advocating for legitimate historical justice while potentially harboring pro-North Korean sympathies - illustrates the challenges faced by both activists and authorities in contemporary South Korea.

**Community Reactions and Public Discourse**

The arrest and subsequent release of Jung has generated significant discussion across Korean online communities, with reactions varying dramatically based on political orientation and views on historical justice issues. On progressive platforms and among historical justice advocates, there has been strong criticism of what they perceive as government overreach and the inappropriate use of the National Security Law to suppress legitimate activism. Many commenters have pointed out the irony of arresting anti-Japanese activists while, in their view, more serious threats to democracy go unaddressed. The phrase 'the insurrection ringleader walks around with his head held high while young people doing anti-Japanese work get arrested' has become a rallying cry among supporters, reflecting broader frustrations with perceived selective enforcement of security laws.

Conversely, more conservative voices in online communities have expressed support for the police action, arguing that any organization with suspected pro-North Korean ties should be thoroughly investigated regardless of their stated mission. These commenters emphasize that national security must take precedence over activist activities, particularly when those activities may involve support for hostile foreign entities. The debate has also touched on broader questions about the nature of anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea, with some arguing that excessive anti-Japanese feeling can be manipulated by hostile forces to undermine South Korea's security interests. This polarized response reflects the deep divisions in Korean society regarding issues of historical justice, national security, and the appropriate limits of political expression.

**Historical Context and Cultural Significance**

To understand the significance of this incident, international observers must appreciate the complex role that anti-Japanese sentiment plays in Korean society and politics. Anti-Japanese feeling in Korea is not merely a product of historical grievances but has been shaped by decades of political manipulation by leaders across the political spectrum. From the destruction of the Japanese Government-General building during the Kim Young-sam administration to various politicians' use of historical issues for political gain, anti-Japanese sentiment has become deeply embedded in Korean political culture. This sentiment is not uniformly distributed across Korean society, but polling consistently shows that a significant majority of Koreans hold negative views of Japan, with many believing that pro-Japanese collaborators and their descendants continue to hold positions of power in Korean society.

The comfort women issue, central to the Anti-Japan Action group's stated mission, remains one of the most sensitive and politically charged aspects of Korea-Japan relations. The weekly Wednesday rallies at comfort women statues have become institutionalized forms of protest that serve multiple functions: commemorating victims, maintaining pressure for Japanese acknowledgment, and providing a venue for broader anti-establishment sentiment. For many Koreans, these rallies represent legitimate historical justice advocacy that should be protected as democratic expression. However, the discovery of potentially pro-North Korean materials among the organizers complicates this narrative, raising questions about whether legitimate historical grievances are being exploited for other political purposes.

**Implications for Korea-Japan Relations and Domestic Politics**

This incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in Korea-Japan relations and broader concerns about North Korean influence operations in South Korea. The arrest highlights the challenges faced by Korean authorities in distinguishing between legitimate historical justice advocacy and activities that may serve hostile foreign interests. The fact that the Anti-Japan Action group has been able to operate openly for years while apparently harboring pro-North Korean sympathies raises questions about the effectiveness of current monitoring systems and the appropriate balance between security concerns and democratic freedoms.

The incident also reflects broader tensions in Korean society about the role of historical memory in contemporary politics. While most Koreans support efforts to preserve the memory of historical injustices and seek appropriate acknowledgment from Japan, there is growing concern that these legitimate grievances may be exploited by groups with ulterior motives. The challenge for Korean society is to maintain space for legitimate historical justice advocacy while preventing the manipulation of these sentiments by hostile forces. The release of Jung without detention suggests that authorities are trying to strike this balance carefully, investigating potential security threats while avoiding the appearance of suppressing legitimate political expression. As Korea continues to grapple with its historical legacy and security challenges, incidents like this will likely continue to generate debate about the appropriate limits of political activism and the role of historical memory in contemporary Korean society.