A draft UNESCO World Heritage Committee decision, expected to be adopted at the committee’s 48th session in Busan, says Japan’s follow-up actions on the Sado Island Gold Mines do not sufficiently address the “whole history” of Korean forced labor associated with the site. South Korea’s foreign ministry said Wednesday that the review supports Seoul’s long-standing position that Japan has not met the expectations of the committee regarding how the history is interpreted and presented at the world heritage property.
The draft review follows an assessment of Japan’s State of Conservation (SOC) report submitted for the site. It calls for Japan to submit an additional progress report by Dec. 1, 2027, which would be reviewed at the World Heritage Committee’s 50th session the year after. According to Seoul, Japan has made progress, including developing an interpretation and presentation strategy and associated facilities, but the measures still fall short of the committee’s requirements.
The draft also includes language calling for close consultation between Japan and Korea on the site’s interpretation strategy, reflecting Seoul’s view that the committee should revisit Japan’s approach.
