The government has reversed its position on the issue of forced labor in relation to Japan’s statement in 2015. The controversy arose as expressions indicating the ‘coercion’ of Korean labor were omitted from the follow-up measures agreed upon as a condition for the inclusion of Japan’s industrial sites on the World Heritage list. The government focused on presenting actual evidence of coercion this time, as Japan had acknowledged ‘forced labor’ during the listing of Hashima Island as a World Heritage site in 2015. However, Japan denied that the term ‘forced labor’ in that instance implied the recognition of forced mobilization even for a day.
According to a diplomatic official who met with journalists on the 30th, “In light of the established coercion through the 2015 statement by Japan, we emphasized explaining coercion through various facts in the negotiations this time.”
Earlier, on the 27th, the World Heritage Committee (WHC) decided to include the Hashima mine as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Korea supported the listing in accordance with an agreement to have Japan install an exhibit near the mine explaining the history of forced conscription of Korean laborers and hold commemorative events annually. However, the term ‘forced’ cannot be found in the exhibits installed. During the WHC meeting, the Japanese side only stated that they would “keep in mind all related decisions adopted by the WHC and commitments related to them.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Japan’s reference to ‘all WHC decisions and commitments’ includes a statement made by Japan’s chief delegate in July 2015 during the listing of Hashima Island as a World Heritage site. At that time, Japan’s chief delegate stated, “In the 1940s, numerous Koreans were lured under harsh conditions against their will to perform forced labor in certain Japanese facilities.”
However, the issue lies in Japan interpreting the remarks of its ambassador differently from Korea’s interpretation during the listing of Hashima Island. Then-Foreign Minister Kishida Fumio (current Prime Minister) said, “It does not mean forced labor.” Subsequently, in the April 2021 Cabinet decision, Japan stated, “Expressions such as ‘forced mobilization’ and ‘forced labor’ for Korean laborers from the Korean Peninsula under the national mobilization order are inappropriate.”
Criticism has been raised that Japan’s perception is reflected unchanged in the exhibition space at the Hashima mine this time. The exhibition referred to the conscripted Korean workers as ‘laborers from the Korean Peninsula.’ The statement in the exhibition space that “National mobilization orders according to the National Mobilization Law promulgated in April 1938 introduced recruitment, labor booking, and conscription to the Korean Peninsula” could be interpreted to mean that forced conscription was legitimate.
It is suggested that objective evidence, along with testimonies from victims, should be included to clearly reveal the context of coercion at the very least.