South Korea Holds Memorial for WWII Forced Laborers, Boycotts Japan's Event

Tensions persist over Japan's handling of colonial-era forced labor history as both nations hold separate ceremonies at UNESCO-listed Sado Gold Mines.

• South Korea organized its own memorial ceremony for Korean forced laborers at Japan's Sado Gold Mines, boycotting Japan's official event the day prior.
• The South Korean ceremony, held at a former dormitory for Korean workers, emphasized remembrance and acknowledgment of historical injustices.
• Japan's memorial event did not recognize the forced nature of Korean labor during World War II, prompting criticism from South Korea and historians.
• The Sado Gold Mines were added to UNESCO's World Heritage list in July, with Japan pledging to acknowledge forced labor, though gaps in historical representation remain.
• The incident highlights ongoing tensions between South Korea and Japan over wartime history, despite recent efforts to improve diplomatic relations.

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