South Korea Continues Absence from Sado Island Memorial for Third Year
By Editor • September 9, 2026 • 1 min read
In a decision that underscores ongoing tensions, South Korea will not participate in the memorial service at the Sado Island Gold Mines this Saturday, marking the third consecutive year of absence. This UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, located in Niigata Prefecture, has become a focal point for historical disputes between the two nations.
According to a source within the South Korean government, despite extensive discussions with Japan, no agreement was reached on critical issues surrounding the historical labor practices at the mines. Central to the dispute is the question of whether workers from the Korean Peninsula were coerced into labor during Japan's colonial rule.
In light of the ongoing disagreements, South Korea is expected to conduct its own memorial ceremony this year. The Sado mines were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2024, a decision made after Japan assured South Korea that it would hold annual memorial services honoring all workers at the mines. This past July, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee called for enhanced exhibits at the site to provide a more comprehensive historical narrative regarding mining operations on the island.
Source: www.japantimes.co.jp
