The past haunts Japan's future

This mine was recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site earlier this year. At first, the Korean side strongly objected but then gave in after the Japanese side met the prerequisite that an exhibition area be built at the mine to show the living and working conditions of Koreans who were forced to work and exploited by Japan there. In addition, Tokyo pledged to hold annual memorial ceremonies for the workers who worked in this mine. Actually, this can also be considered a good intention of the Japanese side. Both of these things have been reported by the Japanese side to UNESCO.

A mine in Sado, Japan

However, this year, South Korea refused to participate in the memorial ceremonies at the Sado mine, disappointing Japan. From Seoul's perspective, the reasons for refusing to participate in the ceremony are very valid. The North Korean workers who were forced to work and exploited, who died and suffered lifelong illnesses there, were not mentioned by Tokyo. The Japanese side ignored the phrase "forced labor", which the South Korean side considered part of the nature of the incident. In addition, the Japanese side also invited a number of politicians who had visited the Yasukuni Shrine to attend the memorial ceremonies.

This new discord is essentially a matter of the past that haunts the future of Japan-Korea relations, causing difficulties for both sides that are on the path of bilateral improvement. Not only that, UNESCO also faces many difficulties.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/qua-khu-am-anh-tuong-lai-nhat-han-185241124230133948.htm