S. Korea Urges Japan to Confront History of Sado Mine

On November 13, 2026, South Korea urged Japan to confront the historical issues surrounding the Sado mine during a separate memorial ceremony. This event, held for the third consecutive year, focused on the Korean victims of forced labor during Japan's colonial rule.

The South Korean Ambassador to Japan, Lee Hyuk, addressed the gathering at a hotel on Sado Island, attended by nine family members of the victims. He emphasized that many Koreans were forcibly mobilized to work at the mine under the Japanese colonial government, stating, "Remembering the pain of the past will deepen our sense of empathy and healing."

Historical records indicate that over 1,500 Koreans were compelled to work in dangerous conditions at the Sado mine from 1910 to 1945. Many suffered injuries and fatalities due to the hazardous environment.

The annual memorials were agreed upon as part of Japan's efforts to have the Sado mine complex inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, Japan has consistently refrained from acknowledging the coercive nature of the labor, prompting South Korea to hold separate ceremonies.

The issue has also drawn the attention of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, which has called on Japan to clarify the historical context of the Sado mine, including the forced labor of Korean workers. A follow-up report is expected from Japan by December 2027.