South Korea has called on Japan to fulfill its obligations regarding the historical acknowledgment of forced labor at the Sado Island Gold Mines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The demand follows concerns that Tokyo has not fully implemented agreements made during the site's 2024 listing process, which required transparent recognition of Koreans subjected to wartime mobilization under Japanese colonial rule.
Seoul's Foreign Ministry stated this week that Japan failed to adequately reflect the site's complete history, including the exploitation of thousands of Koreans during World War II. The mines, operational until 1989, were repurposed during the war to produce materials for Japan's military efforts. South Korean historians emphasize that forced laborers endured harsh conditions, a narrative absent from current displays at the site.
The dispute stems from a 2024 UNESCO agreement where South Korea supported the mine's heritage status in exchange for Japan's pledge to memorialize victims. Diplomatic talks continue, with Seoul urging "faithful implementation" of past commitments to mend bilateral relations strained by historical grievances.
