The government will host an online ceremony on Saturday to mark the annual International Memorial Day for Comfort Women to commemorate victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery.

This year's event comes on the 30th anniversary of the late Kim Hak-sun's public testimony on the Japanese military's operation of brothels during World War Two on August 14, 1991. Kim was the first victim ever to speak out against the atrocities.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said the virtual ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. to reflect on progress made in the past 30 years and to deliver a message of participation and solidarity.

Gender Equality Minister Chung Young-ai visited a memorial park in the central city of Cheonan where 56 Korean victims, including Kim, are laid to rest, to pre-record a speech for Saturday's ceremony.

Referring to ongoing attempts to deny Japan's atrocities and distort history, the minister pledged to launch memorial projects, archive documents and testimonies through a research center, and produce multimedia and AI-based educational materials.

President Moon Jae-in also prepared a video message to express respect for the victims' devotion toward creating a better world and to pledge the government's efforts toward resolving the issue with focus on the victims.