MANILA, July 23 (Yonhap) -- An international heritage body adopted a decision Thursday calling on Japan to adequately reflect the "whole history" of the Sado mine, which was linked to the wartime mobilization of Korean laborers, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee adopted the decision without amendments or discussion on its draft during the 48th committee session held in the southeastern South Korean city of Busan, according to the ministry.

This AP photo released July 27, 2024, shows the Sado gold mine complex in Japan's Niigata prefecture on March 12, 2023. (Yonhap)

When approving the inscription of the mine as a World Heritage site in July 2024, the committee recommended that Japan present the site's "whole history" across all periods of mining activity.

South Korean foreign ministry officials said the "whole history" includes the period during which more than 1,500 Koreans were mobilized to work at the mine during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Once known for its gold production, the complex was later used to produce war supplies for the Japanese imperial army during World War II.

"The interpretation and presentation strategy of the whole history has shown some progress but remains to be fully developed," the decision read.

"Further clarification is needed regarding how the interpretation and presentation strategy and facilities comprehensively address, at the site level, the whole history of the property throughout all periods of mining exploitation," it noted.

The committee also recommended that Japan closely consult with relevant parties to improve its interpretation and presentation strategy and facilities to ensure that the site's whole history is fully presented, and submit a follow-up implementation report by December 2027.

The adoption of the decision is seen as lending support to the South Korean government's position that Japan should more clearly reflect the forced nature of Korean labor at the Sado mine site.

A memorial ceremony for workers at the Sado mine is held on Sado Island in Japan's Niigata Prefecture, in this file photo from Sept. 13, 2025. South Korea skipped the event for the second straight year, saying the events fell short of adequately reflecting the history of forced labor by Koreans. Seoul instead has held separate memorial services. (Yonhap)

graceoh@yna.co.kr
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