Japan, "We Fulfilled Our Promise" Denies Korea's Demand to Cancel 'Gunkanjima World Heritage' Designation

Japan's Forced Labor Exhibit Distorts Reality Contrary to Promises

Press conference by Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] The Japanese government once again insisted, regarding South Korea's plan to send a letter to UNESCO demanding the delisting of Japan's modern industrial sites such as 'Gunkanjima,' that "they have fulfilled their promise to honor the victims of forced labor."

At a regular press conference on the morning of the 22nd, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, the spokesperson for the Japanese government, was asked about Japan's response to South Korea's plan and said, "I will refrain from commenting on each point," but added the above statement.

He said, "Our country has seriously accepted the resolutions and recommendations of the World Heritage Committee so far, and has faithfully implemented these, including the measures promised by our government, and will continue to respond appropriately."

When asked whether there had been any notification from the Korean side demanding delisting, Secretary Suga replied, "As of now, no such notification has been made to the Japanese government."

The South Korean government is reported to plan to send a letter under the name of Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo to UNESCO within this month, urging the delisting of Japan's modern industrial sites, including Gunkanjima, a site of forced labor during Japanese colonial rule.

This is in response to exhibits at the Industrial Heritage Information Center in Tokyo, which were made public on the 15th, that deny the forced mobilization victims and glorify Japan's modernization, contrary to Japan's promises at the time of World Heritage registration.

In July 2015, Kunio Sato, Japan's ambassador to UNESCO, acknowledged that some Meiji-era industrial facilities involved Koreans and other nationals being forcibly mobilized against their will and subjected to harsh conditions, and promised to establish an information center to honor the victims.

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