Sulli’s recent Instagram post honoring victims and survivors of Japanese military sexual slavery has sparked a dispute between her Korean and Japanese fans.

On Tuesday, the singer-turned-actress took sides on the “comfort women” controversy, a persistent source of diplomatic tension between South Korea and Japan, by uploading a poster on Instagram commemorating the anniversary of the first survivor’s testimony in 1991. The poster featured a message of support for the women’s struggle for justice and official reparations.

Shortly after the post went up, angry Japanese readers started bombarding Sulli’s account with comments such as “Sulli doesn’t think about Japanese fans” and “There is no reason for Japanese to apologize.”

Many Korean netizens also joined in the dispute, defending Sulli and thanking her for raising awareness with her post.

On Aug. 14, 1991, the late Kim Hak-soon became the first survivor to speak out publicly about her experiences. Aug. 14 is now a day when supporters throughout the world remember and honor the women subjected to sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II. The Korean government designated it a national day of remembrance in December.

Sulli, a former member of f(x), is gearing up to return to the public eye with a new reality show titled “Jin Ri’s Shop.” The performer’s real name is Choi Jin-ri.

(lotus@heraldcorp.com)