The UNESCO World Heritage committee has approved Japan's Sado gold mine as a cultural heritage site, following Japan's inclusion of its dark history of exploiting Korean laborers during World War II in an exhibit. This decision marks a positive step in the relations between Tokyo and Seoul.
The Sado gold mine, located on an island off Niigata in northern Japan, operated for almost four centuries and was once the world's largest gold producer before its closure in 1989. The mine's history is intertwined with Japan's wartime mistreatment of Korean laborers.
During the annual meeting in New Delhi, India, committee members, including South Korea, unanimously supported the listing after Japan provided additional information, made necessary amendments, and consulted with South Korea regarding the mine's wartime past.
Japan acknowledged that Korean laborers were subjected to hazardous work conditions in the mine shaft, leading to fatalities. They were also given inadequate food rations and minimal days off. To honor the workers, Japan plans to hold an annual memorial service at the site.
While Japan's Foreign Minister expressed delight at the designation of Sado island as a cultural heritage site, South Korea emphasized the importance of Japan presenting a balanced view of the mine's history to foster long-term relations.
Historians note that Japan utilized hundreds of thousands of Korean laborers, including those forcibly brought from the Korean Peninsula, in Japanese mines and factories during WWII to address labor shortages caused by men being sent to battlefronts.
Japan's government has faced criticism for its reluctance to address wartime atrocities, including the abuse of Korean laborers and 'comfort women.' The Sado Island mine was initially proposed for UNESCO recognition last year but required additional information.
Another contentious Japanese site, Gunkanjima in Nagasaki prefecture, was recognized by UNESCO in 2015. South Korea objected to the omission of Korean laborers from the site's history, prompting a call for a more comprehensive account.
