Jeong Eui-yong's Diplomatic Moves on 'Sado Gwangsan' in Paris

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Jeong Eui-yong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who visited Paris, France to attend the 'Ministerial Meeting for Indo-Pacific Cooperation' (Indo-Pacific Ministerial Meeting), conveyed concerns about the Sado Mine to the international community on the 22nd (local time).

On the same day in Paris, Minister Jeong met with Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, and expressed strong concerns regarding Japan's application to register the Sado Mine, a site of forced labor of Koreans, as a World Heritage site.

He also requested the Director-General's special attention and cooperation to ensure the faithful implementation of follow-up measures for the 'Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution' previously applied for UNESCO heritage registration by Japan.

The Japanese government applied in 2015 to register modern industrial sites including Hashima (also known as Gunkanjima) as World Cultural Heritage, but did not properly explain the forced labor of Koreans that occurred there, and the additional registration of the Sado Mine, where similar forced labor took place, has become controversial.

In response, Director-General Azoulay said, "I am well aware of the Korean government's concerns regarding the Sado Mine, etc.," and pledged to continue paying attention and making efforts regarding the implementation of follow-up measures for the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.

Also, at the previously held Indo-Pacific Ministerial Meeting, Minister Jeong pointed out that "the Indo-Pacific region has rapidly developed based on diversity and dynamism, but historical issues between countries in the region still exist." Although he did not specifically mention the 'historical issues,' it appears to be a remark mindful of the Korea-Japan relations strained over the Sado Mine and other matters.

Minister Jeong said, "an international order based on multilateralism and the rule of law has not yet been established, so distrust and security instability persist," and added, "Europe’s experience of leading reconciliation from past historical conflicts and achieving unity through multilateralism can provide lessons applicable to cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region."

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