Tokyo: Japan once again made no mention of Koreans’ forced labor during a ceremony held on Saturday to commemorate victims of a World War II mine complex in the country. The annual event, initiated last year, is part of Japan’s commitment following the Sado mine’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site in July 2024.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the ceremony took place without South Korea’s participation, as the country boycotted the event due to unresolved differences with Japan over acknowledging the forced mobilization of Korean workers. Yukiko Okano, director-general for cultural affairs at Japan’s foreign ministry, acknowledged the presence of Korean Peninsula workers at the mine, noting their challenging conditions and the fact that some died in Japan before returning home. However, there was no explicit mention of forced labor.
A South Korean presidential official emphasized the need for the ceremony to be “conducted in a manner consistent with its purpose and nature,” and expressed the intention to continue dialogue with Japan. The official noted that while a satisfactory resolution was not achieved this year, the focus remains on fostering mutual trust and understanding to improve cooperation on historical issues.
South Korea plans to organize its own ceremony with the victims’ families in the fall, although the date has not been set. Last November, Japan was represented by a parliamentary vice minister at the ceremony, a higher-ranking official compared to this year’s director general.
Seoul announced earlier this month that it would not attend the memorial event, citing differences in how to honor the victims and describe the coercion involved in Japan’s forced mobilization. In a press conference on Thursday, President Lee Jae Myung reiterated the need to separate historical issues from future-oriented relations with Japan.
The Sado mines, historically known for gold production, were used primarily for war supplies during World War II, with over 1,500 Koreans reportedly forced into labor between 1940 and 1945.