South Korea Says Japan Fails to Honor Sado Mine Commitments

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday urged Japan to faithfully implement UNESCO World Heritage Committee decisions and bilateral agreements regarding the Sado gold mines, following the release of a conservation report on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre website.

"This report shows that the Japanese government has not faithfully implemented the World Heritage Committee's decision to reflect the full history at the Sado mine site, nor its own pledges," the ministry said in a spokesperson's statement.

When the Sado mines were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List last year, the Japanese government stated it would "sincerely commemorate all workers, including Korean laborers, and continue to improve interpretation, exhibition strategies, and facilities in close consultation with South Korea."

The Sado mines operated as gold mines during Japan's Edo period (1603-1867) and were primarily used to secure war materials after the outbreak of the Pacific War. During this period, Koreans from colonial Korea were forcibly mobilized and worked under harsh conditions while facing discrimination.

"The government will continue dialogue with the Japanese government regarding follow-up measures after the heritage inscription of the Sado mines," the ministry added.