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2mo ago

Final Court Ruling Triggers Removal of Berlin ‘Comfort Women’ Statue

Judges upheld the district’s two-year limit on privately initiated street art.

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Ein helles Rechteck auf einem Gehweg und Protestplakate
Seit 2020 befindet sich die „Trostfrauen“-Statue auf dem Unionplatz in Moabit
Die sogenannte Friedensstatue in Berlin zur Erinnerung an Opfer sexueller Gewalt im Zweiten Weltkrieg in Japan muss nun endgültig abgebaut werden. Das entschied das Oberverwaltungsgericht Berlin-Brandenburg.

Overview

  • The Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court rejected the Korea-Verband’s complaint, making the order to remove the Moabit statue final and not subject to appeal.
  • The Mitte district had a private firm dismantle the bronze figure early Friday with police present, and officials said it was taken to a secure, undisclosed location.
  • Courts cited equal-treatment and planning-authority principles, affirming a district practice that limits temporary public art in street space to two years.
  • The district offered a nearby publicly accessible site at Unionsstraße 8 about 100 meters away and pledged support, an option the Korea-Verband did not accept.
  • Korea-Verband leaders voiced disappointment over the operation’s manner, said they are seeking a new location, and signaled plans to move their office and museum out of Mitte, as some local politicians and residents criticized the removal.