Japan Recommends Sado Mine, Site of 'Joseonin Forced Labor,' as World Cultural Heritage

▲ Sado Mine, a site of forced labor of Koreans during the Japanese colonial period [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Japanese government decided on the 1st to recommend Sado Mine, a site of forced labor of Koreans during the Japanese colonial period, as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

According to Kyodo News, the Japanese government approved a plan to recommend Sado Mine as Japan's candidate for World Heritage registration in 2023 at a cabinet meeting held that morning.

On the same day, the Japanese government plans to submit the nomination file to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

Sado Mine is a site where many Koreans were mobilized and forced into harsh labor during the Japanese colonial period.

Japan intends to limit the target period to the Edo period (1603?1867), excluding the history of the Japanese colonial period, and register Sado Mine from that period as a World Heritage site.

The South Korean government strongly opposes Japan's attempt to nominate Sado Mine as a World Heritage site, and it is expected that a fierce historical dispute between Korea and Japan will unfold on the UNESCO stage.

Both countries have announced that they will form task forces (TF) to respond.

The final decision on whether Sado Mine will be registered as a World Heritage site is expected to be made next summer.

Prior to that, the results can be anticipated through the recommendation of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), a UNESCO advisory body, expected around May next year.

Kyodo News reported that UNESCO has urged Korea and Japan to hold bilateral consultations regarding the Sado Mine issue, which may delay the review process.

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