[ 경향신문 ] On June 8 , President Moon Jae - in spoke on the controversy surrounding the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan and said , “ Attempts by some to deny the movement in support of the comfort women and to undermine the cause of the movement are not right . ” He added , “ That would tear down the dignity and honor of the elderly victims . ” In a meeting with Cheong Wa Dae senior secretaries and aides , President Moon also said that such attempts “ fundamentally challenged the legitimacy of the movement supporting the comfort women dedicated to reporting war crimes against humanity and to protecting the value of women ’ s rights . ” The president fiercely criticized the attitude of the conservatives who have tried to take advantage of the latest incident to undermine actions supporting the comfort women . This was the first time that the president expressed his position on this issue . Social conflict on this issue had been escalating , leading to the death of Son , the director of Our House of Peace , a shelter for the comfort women victims , on June 6 , and it appears the president felt a need to step up and control the situation . In the past , Cheong Wa Dae held the view that this wasn ’ t an issue on which Cheong Wa Dae should directly get involved . Before speaking on this issue , President Moon said , “ The controversy surrounding the support for the comfort women is very chaotic . Even with great caution , I find it difficult to speak on this issue . ” President Moon said , “ The movement supporting the comfort women was one that grew out of the voluntary participation and solidarity of the public . ” He further elaborated , “ As the result of three decades of constant solidarity among the victims , activists and citizens and their efforts to draw support , the movement has established itself as a human rights movement in the history of the world . ” He added , “ It is a history that can never be denied or undermined . ” The president also made it clear that the elderly comfort women victims were the ones that led the movement . He said , “ The elderly comfort women victims are dignified just by testifying of their horrendous lives and by working to lead the movement , ” and stressed , “ We cannot imagine a movement without them . ” In particular , he said , “ Ms . Lee Yong - soo is the history of the comfort women movement , ” and added , “ She played a significant role in raising the issue of the comfort women as an international problem . ” He drew the line with the attitude of some in the ruling party , who criticized and disparaged the elderly Lee after her press conference condemning lawmaker Youn . President Moon invited Lee to official events on four occasions after entering office , including a state dinner when U . S . President Donald Trump came to Korea in November 2017 . The president said , “ The latest controversy has provided an opportunity to reconsider the methods of non - governmental organizations ( NGOs ) as well as their behaviors . ” He added , “ The government will establish an integrated management system for donations and basically improve the transparency of fund raising . We will also transparently manage the subsidies provided by the government and local governments . ”▶ 장도리 | 그림 마당 보 기 ▶ 경향신문 바로 가 기 ▶ 경향신문 구독 신청 하 기 © 경향신문 ( www . khan . co . kr ) , 무단 전재 및 재 배포 금지