Japan's Which Historical Site Included in World Heritage Site Despite South Korea's Objection?

A group of mines on a Japanese island, known for using forced labor during wartime, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 27, 2024. This happened after South Korea withdrew its earlier objections to the site getting included in the list.

The Sado gold and silver mines, now a popular tourist spot, are believed to have started in the 12th century and continued production until after World War II when the production significantly decreased in the year 1989.

Historical Significance of Sado Mines

The Sado mines have a long history, starting around the 12th century and continuing to produce gold and silver until after World War II. Located on an island off the coast of Niigata in northern Japan, these mines operated for nearly 400 years. These mines were once the world’s largest gold producer before closing in 1989. 

They are known for using traditional, artisanal mining methods, unlike the more modern, mechanized techniques used in European mines at that time, thus making the mining very unsafe for the workers. The mines are also linked to Japan's wartime abuse of Korean laborers. This blend of historical and cultural heritage, showing the development of mining technology over the centuries, makes the Sado mines special.

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Initial Objections 

Japan sought UNESCO World Heritage status for the Sado mines due to their long history and the use of artisanal mining techniques, which contrasted with the mechanization seen in European mines at the same time. 

Initially, South Korea opposed the proposal because of the use of forced Korean labor during World War II, when Japan occupied the Korean peninsula. However, at the annual meeting on June 27 in New Delhi, India, committee members, including South Korea, unanimously supported the listing. 

South Korea's Foreign Ministry agreed to the listing on the condition that Japan accurately reflects the "full history" of the Sado Gold Mine site and takes proactive steps to do so.

History of Discrimination

Many historians argue that the recruitment conditions at the Sado mine during World War times were essentially forced labor. Korean workers had to face much harsher conditions than their Japanese counterparts. 

According to Toyomi Asano, a history professor at Tokyo's Waseda University, discrimination on the basis of nationality did exist, and Korean workers were given the most dangerous jobs, making their working conditions very bad and unsafe.

• Korean workers faced significantly harsher conditions compared to Japanese workers.
• Discrimination was present in the workplace.
• Korean workers were assigned the most dangerous jobs.
• Working conditions for Korean workers were very bad and unsafe.

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