A recent court ruling in Tokyo has reignited a decades-long legal battle involving a group of 27 South Koreans who seek to remove their relatives' names from the Yasukuni Shrine's register. The court determined that the 20-year statute of limitations for challenging the enshrinement had expired in 1979, leaving the plaintiffs distraught and determined to continue their fight. Their family members, enshrined in 1959, became a point of contention only after the plaintiffs learned of their inclusion in the shrine's register during the 1990s.
The plaintiffs argue that the expiration of the statute of limitations in 1979 is "unacceptable," as they were unaware of their relatives' enshrinement until over a decade later. Their legal pursuit aims to restore their family members' honor by having their names removed from Yasukuni Shrine, a Shinto shrine in Tokyo dedicated to honoring those who died in service to Japan, including soldiers and civilians.
Park Nam-soon, one of the plaintiffs, expressed profound shock and confusion at the court's decision.
“I am completely at a loss and dumbfounded. I do not know what to say.” – Park Nam-soon
The ongoing case highlights the complexities surrounding historical grievances and the pursuit of justice across borders. The Centre for Historical Truth and Justice, a South Korean organization, supports the plaintiffs' case. Kim Young-hwan, representing the Centre, criticized the court's ruling as "unacceptable."
The plaintiffs emphasize that their quest is not about financial compensation but rather about restoring their relatives' dignity and honor.
“We are not asking for money. We are only asking for their names to be removed for their honour,” – Park Nam-soon
Despite the setback, the plaintiffs vow to persist in their legal journey "to the end." The case remains unresolved, with no clear conclusion in sight as both parties navigate this sensitive historical issue.
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