NEW DELHI — A former Japanese gold mine on Sado Island, historically linked to the forced labor of Koreans during World War II, has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The decision was finalized on Saturday during the UNESCO World Heritage Committee's meeting in New Delhi, with both Japan and South Korea as current members.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the inscription was approved after Tokyo agreed to include a full historical account of the site, acknowledging its controversial past. This follows a dispute wherein South Korea protested Japan's initial proposal, which omitted references to the forced labor of thousands of Koreans at the mine under Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule. Over 2,000 Koreans were estimated to have been forcibly mobilized to work in harsh conditions at the mine, which was the world’s largest producer of gold in the 17th century.
The nomination initially faced recommendations from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory body to UNESCO, to be sent back to Japan for a more detailed account of the site's history. Japan's original submission focused only on the Edo period, excluding the wartime period. Following negotiations and ICOMOS's recommendations, Japan has committed to developing a comprehensive interpretation and exhibition reflecting the full history of the site. This includes acknowledging the suffering of Korean laborers with sincere memorials and annual memorial services on Sado Island starting this July-August.
While the decision marks a significant acknowledgment of historical atrocities, concerns persist about Japan’s adherence to its commitments, especially considering past discrepancies, such as the handling of Hashima Island's UNESCO inscription in 2015.