The Sado Gold Mine and Japan’s ‘History War’ Versus the memory of Korean Forced Laborers

Main author: Johnsen, Nikolai
Format: Journal Article           
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id eprints-36778
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
description Japan has nominated the Sado Gold Mine for UNESECO World Heritage inscription despite South Korean opposition due to Japan’s refusal to recognize the role of wartime Korean forced labor at this location. Japan’s previous industrial World Heritage inscription is criticized for similar denials of forced labor history. In this way, the Japanese government has embarked on a “history war” against Korea and the memories of the wartime victims of forced labor. In addition to providing victim testimony, historical sources and local and Korean research reveals that Mitsubishi forced Korean laborers to work in deadly conditions in the Sado mines. Korean forced laborers were taken to Sado Island where they faced racial discrimination and abuse. This article explains why Japan chose to worsen relations with Korea by nominating the Sado mines for World Heritage inscription while concealing the use of forced Korean labor and examines evidence of forced labor at the site.
format Journal Article
author Johnsen, Nikolai
author_facet Johnsen, Nikolai
authorStr Johnsen, Nikolai
author_letter Johnsen, Nikolai
title The Sado Gold Mine and Japan’s ‘History War’ Versus the memory of Korean Forced Laborers
publisher Asia-Pacific Journal
publishDate 2022
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/36778/