Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean Prime Minister Yun Byung-se reached accord on 'comfort women' issue. But, the agreement lacks any response from the activist victims, affectionally known as 'Halmonis' or 'Grandmas.' Upon receiving the news, the Korean American Forum of California (KAFC) stated that they reject the recent agreement between the governments of South Korea and Japan in solidarity with the activist victims. One of the most prominent activists, Gramda Yongsoo Lee denounced the agreement stating, "this agreement seems to have been made without having the victims in mind. I dismiss it in its entirety." According to KAFC, there are several problems with the recent agreement, including: 1. The agreement is a regression from the Kono Statement because it does not acknowledge "coercion" which has been part of Abe regime’s attempt to whitewash the history. 2. The agreement does not specify if the "heartfelt apology" will be an official, cabinet approved apology, which then can be retracted and denied again by future leaders of Japan. Abe and other political leaders of Japan have done this to earlier statements. 3. This agreement falls short of the most basic guideline suggested by the US Congress. When measured up to the US H.Res.121, which was unanimously passed in 2007, this agreement is missing the most essential elements. For example, US H.Res.121 states the following: “Japanese government should accept historical responsibility for the sexual slavery and largest case of human trafficking, officially and sincerely apologize in an unequivocal manner, and to educate the next generation about this crime of humanity so that the same tragedy will never repeat itself." 4. We believe any settlement should be based on the 7 demands of the victims and must include all victims from 11 countries and not just South Koreans. (http://kaforumca.org/7-demands-by-the-victims/): -Full acknowledgement of the military sexual slavery implemented by the Imperial Armed Forces of Japan between 1932 to 1945 -Thorough and complete investigation to fully chronicle the scope of the crime -Formal apology from the National Assembly (Diet) of Japan -Legal and full reparations to all victims -Prosecution of the criminals responsible for the crime -Full and ongoing education through proper recording and acknowledgement in textbooks and history books in Japan -Building of memorials and museums to commemorate the victims and preserve the history of sexual slavery by the Japanese Military 5. Japan's demand to remove the Peace Monument in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul is an example of how Abe and his government are attempting to continue to whitewash the issue. If the apology is genuine, Japan should welcome such monuments and embrace the incredible struggle of the Halmonis that it represents.