“Requesting List of Forced Labor Victims from Japanese Government”
Speaker Woo Won-sik, urged the government to disclose the process and content of diplomatic negotiations surrounding Japan’s listing of wartime forced labor sites in a UNESCO world heritage list, saying that the reasons provided by the government for consenting to the listing did not receive the consent of the people. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the face of mounting doubts and questions, especially in light of conflicting reports in the Japanese media.
Speaker Woo took the opportunity to call for the provision of a list of forced labor victims to the Japanese government, stressing the importance of uncovering the truth behind the history of forced labor and ensuring that it is reflected in the heritage designation. He pointed out that UNESCO World Heritage signifies the universal value of heritage shared by all humankind and that the wartime forced labor history of places like Hashima Island and the wartime forced labor sites should be passed on as legacies to future generations.
Speaker Woo also highlighted the significance of investigating the truth behind forced labor and memorializing the victims through relevant documentation and ceremonies related to the forced labor history, including offerings from the Niigata Prefectural Museum where records of Korean forced laborers are kept. He stressed the importance of acknowledging and commemorating the sacrifice and suffering endured by those who were forced into labor during that period.
The official statement issued by Speaker Woo Won-sik on the matter underscored the importance of holding the government accountable for its actions and decisions in relation to the UNESCO listing and called for a thorough examination of the diplomatic negotiations and the verification of the facts presented by the government. The statement also demanded clarity on issues related to the exhibition content and urged the government to address the questions raised by various parties regarding the heritage designation process.
Speaker Woo’s appeal for justice and remembrance of the forced labor victims reflects a broader call for truth and reconciliation in the historical narrative between South Korea and Japan, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and honest approach to addressing the legacy of wartime forced labor.