Paris: South Korea has urged UNESCO's heritage oversight body to intervene if Japan fails to uphold its promise to honor wartime forced labor victims associated with UNESCO World Heritage-listed industrial sites. This call was made by South Korean Ambassador to UNESCO Bak Sang-mee during a session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC) in Paris. The appeal follows a blocked attempt by Seoul to include the industrial sites on this year's WHC agenda, a move stopped by a rare vote among member states, including South Korea and Japan.

According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea aimed to highlight Japan's inadequate efforts in fulfilling WHC recommendations to fully present the history of the Meiji industrial revolution sites, which gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 2015. Hashima Island, a site where many Koreans were forced to work during World War II under Japan's colonial rule, is particularly contentious. Bak noted that despite four consecutive WHC decisions requesting a comprehensive interpretation strategy for each site, implementation remains lacking and problematic.

Japan's establishment of a museum in Tokyo featuring exhibits on related history has been criticized by Seoul for not presenting the full historical context as initially promised. Bak affirmed South Korea's commitment to supporting the complete implementation of WHC decisions regarding the sites, including engaging in bilateral consultations with Japan. She expressed a desire for Japan to participate constructively and responsibly in this process.

Bak further stated that if Japan continues to neglect WHC decisions, the committee should persist in its engagement. "Should the shortcomings in the interpretive strategies at the Tokyo Industrial Heritage Information Center remain unaddressed despite such (bilateral) efforts, the committee should maintain its engagement in this matter as part of its ongoing responsibility," she said. Despite Japan's submission of follow-up progress reports to UNESCO, which outline its implementation efforts, each report has led the committee to urge Tokyo to enhance its portrayal of the complete history, aligning with South Korea's stance that Japan's efforts are insufficient.

The WHC has periodically reviewed the sites since their UNESCO designation. However, the issue was not included on this year's agenda, as Japan's latest report, submitted in 2024, was an "update" rather than a formal document that would automatically prompt a review.