S. Korean minister protests Japan’s world heritage push

Jiji Press

16:11 JST, February 4, 2022

TOKYO (Jiji Press) — South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong on Thursday protested the Japanese government’s recent decision to recommend the Sado gold mine site in Niigata Prefecture for UNESCO World Cultural Heritage listing.

In a teleconference with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chung also expressed his deep disappointment at the decision made earlier this week.

It is regrettable that Seoul has made a unique assertion on the matter, Hayashi replied, adding that South Korea’s view is unacceptable.

South Korea opposes the plan to seek World Cultural Heritage registration of the Sado site in central Japan, claiming that Koreans were forced to work at the site during World War II.

The teleconference was held at the request of Japan in response to North Korea’s launch of a missile Sunday.