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| Yoon Hong-jo |
By Kim Bo-eun
Yoon Hong-jo, 31, first met former "comfort women" when he was a university student and a member of a non-profit organization.
It was when he came across a pressed flower a victim made during therapy sessions that Yoon decided he could do something for them.
With the flower, Yoon created the design brand Marymond's first pattern, which was incorporated into smartphone cases and other products.
Marymond combines the words "mariposa," meaning butterfly in Spanish, and "almond" from Vincent Van Gogh's painting "Almond Blossom," which represents awakening and hope. Like a flower blooms after a butterfly lands on it, it is Yoon's hope that the brand can restore the dignity of the victims through its work.
"I think it is a problem for the issue of comfort women to be perceived only as a political, diplomatic issue between Korea and Japan," Yoon told The Korea Times in an interview last week. "The victims must be respected and they must regain their dignity."
Marymond not only makes patterns symbolizing the comfort women, it is also involved in projects to highlight the issue.
It created a mini-forest commemorating victims near the World Cup Stadium in Sangam-dong, northwestern Seoul, in 2015.
A second forest is under way in China. Funds have been raised and the site has been chosen.
Marymond also donates 50 percent of its operating profit to a foundation affiliated with the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan. Yoon is a member of the foundation.
Marymond has donated 500 million won ($441,400) ― as of last September ― since the brand was launched in October 2012. Yoon says that by March, total donations will add up to around 800 million won ($706,300).
The brand is also reaching out to consumers and victims in neighboring countries, such as China and the Philippines.
Following foreign consumers' interest in Marymond's products, the brand is preparing to launch a Chinese version of its website.
Profit generated by purchases made by foreign consumers will go to victims based in those countries.
To enable this, Marymond is meeting a team that created a documentary on comfort women titled "Apology," to be released next month. The film carries the testimonies of Korean, Chinese and Filipino victims.
Yoon said Marymond will continue seeking those in need of social support.
"When family members of the victims call us, thanking us for our work, that's what keeps us going," he said.
"I am thankful and happy to be able to make an impact through Marymond."
