hankyoreh

Gunkanjima (Hashima) Island, off the coast of Nagasaki, where hundreds of Koreans were mobilized to perform forced labor during the Pacific War. (Hankyoreh archives)

Upon learning that Japan is exhibiting displays in Tokyo’s Industrial Heritage Information Center that distort the history of the Gunkanjima (Hashima) Island, the Korean government asked UNESCO on June 22 to consider revoking the registration of sites of Japan’s modern industrialization as World Heritage assets.

In a regular briefing on June 22, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Spokesperson Kim In-cheol stated on behalf of Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha that a letter of this nature had been submitted to the UNESCO secretary general. “The letter asked [UNESCO] to consider several matters, including revoking the status of Japan’s modern industrial facilities [as World Heritage assets], Kim stated. “We asked for UNESCO to support us in pushing for the adoption of a resolution that calls for Japan to undertake sincere follow-up measures.” The spokesperson went on to say, “The government will continue to engage UNESCO with diplomatic efforts to raise the level of interest and understanding on this issue.”

In 2015, 23 modern industrial facilities in Japan were officially registered as World Heritage assets, including Hashima Island. At the time, Japan acknowledged that countless Koreans were taken by the Japanese imperialists and used as forced laborers in such facilities during the 1940s. However, the Tokyo Industrial Heritage Information Center, which opened to the public on June 14, exhibits only testimonies and content that denies the use of forced Korean labor.

By Noh Ji-won, staff reporter

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