In this undated photo provided by The Korea Botanical Garden, statues of a man kneeling in front of a girl symbolizing victims of sexual slavery by Japan's World War II military at the Korea Botanical Garden in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
But the statues at Kims garden also drew criticism among some South Koreans, who described them as tacky or excessively provocative on social media.
The man could be Abe and also couldnt be Abe, said Kim, who will keep the statues at his garden.
The man represents anyone in a position of responsibility who could sincerely apologize to the victims of sexual slavery, now or in the future.
The deal was hugely unpopular in South Korea, where many people criticized their government for settling for too little and accused Tokyo of attempting to silence the victims with money.