A network of mines on a Japanese island infamous for using conscripted wartime labour was added to UNESCO's World Heritage register Saturday after South Korea dropped earlier objections to its listing. The Sado gold and silver mines, now a popular tourist attraction, are believed to have started operating as early as the 12th century and produced until after World War II. Japan had put a case for World Heritage listing because of their lengthy history and the artisanal mining techniques used there at a time when European mines had turned to mechanisation.
The proposal was opposed by Seoul when it was first put because of the use of involuntary Korean labour during World War II, when Japan occupied the Korean peninsula. But South Korea's foreign ministry said it had agreed to the listing "on the condition that Japan faithfully implements the recommendation..
. to reflect the 'full history' at the Sado Gold Mine site." UNESCO confirmed the listing at its ongoing committee meeting in New Delhi after a bid highlighting the archaeological preservation of "mining activities and social and labour organisation".
"The inscription was the result of a 14-year effort," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on X. "I would like to share this joy with local people as well as all Japanese citizens." Japan had reiterated a pledge to keeping the memories alive of "the harsh labour conditions of all workers", the foreign ministry in Tokyo said in a statement.
It added that exhibits on Sado .