Seoul: South Korea will not participate in Japan's memorial ceremony this year related to the Sado mine complex, a site where many Koreans were forced to work during World War II. This decision follows last year's boycott due to disagreements over how to appropriately honor the victims.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's decision raises concerns about potential tensions with Japan amid efforts by the Lee Jae Myung administration to preserve the improved relations achieved under the previous government. The annual memorial, a commitment made by Japan when the mines were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in July of last year, has become a point of contention between the two nations.
South Korea abstained from the inaugural event in November, citing Tokyo's insincerity in honoring the victims, and instead held its own ceremony near the Sado site. Despite "serious" negotiations, the two countries have not reconciled their differing views on commemorating the forced labor victims, as stated by a foreign ministry official.
The official emphasized the unresolved differences in opinions on key issues, specifically how to describe the "nature of coercion" regarding the mobilization of Korean workers during WWII. Seoul communicated its decision to Japan on Wednesday, citing insufficient time for arranging the trip and preparations for victims' family members as additional factors.
Japan plans to proceed with this year's memorial event next Saturday, according to diplomatic sources. As in the previous year, South Korea will conduct its own ceremony with the victims' families. President Lee Jae Myung has expressed his intent to improve relations with Japan while acknowledging historical issues stemming from Japan's colonial rule over Korea from 1910 to 1945.
Lee has reiterated this approach in discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The South Korean government hopes Japan will adopt a more forward-looking attitude, enabling both countries to honor the victims and their families appropriately.