Japan insists on "fulfilling promises" amid demands from Korea to revoke Battleship Island's World Heritage status

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] In response to the South Korean government's announcement of its plan to send a letter to UNESCO demanding the cancellation of the World Heritage registration of Japan's modern industrial sites, including Gunkanjima, the Japanese government has reiterated its claim that it has fulfilled its promise to honor the victims of forced labor.

According to NHK and other outlets on the 22nd, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a regular briefing when asked about Japan's response to South Korea's plan, "I am aware of the reports, but I will refrain from commenting on each one," and made the statement.

Secretary Suga stated, "Our country has seriously accepted the resolutions and recommendations of the World Heritage Committee and has faithfully implemented these, including the measures promised by our government," adding, "We will continue to respond appropriately." When asked whether there had been any notification from South Korea requesting the cancellation of the registration, he replied, "As of now, no such notification has been made to the Japanese government."

Earlier, it was reported that the South Korean government plans to send a letter under the name of Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo to UNESCO within this month, demanding the cancellation of the World Heritage registration of Japan's modern industrial sites, including Gunkanjima, where forced labor occurred during the Japanese colonial era. This action is being taken as a countermeasure after exhibits at the Tokyo Industrial Heritage Information Center, publicly revealed on the 15th, contained content that denies the forced mobilization victims and glorifies Japan's modernization, contrary to the promises made at the time of UNESCO registration.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.