Korean Government Expresses Regret Over Japan's UNESCO Commitments

The South Korean government has expressed disappointment after its attempt to question Japan's adherence to commitments made regarding the Hashima Island (군함도) coal mine, a site of forced labor during the Japanese occupation, was thwarted at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee's 47th session held in Paris on July 7, 2025.

During the meeting, the committee discussed whether to formally adopt an agenda item evaluating Japan's compliance with decisions related to the Meiji Industrial Heritage. The South Korean representative argued that Japan's insufficient actions warranted further review at this year's committee meeting. However, Japan opposed this, asserting that the matter should be addressed bilaterally rather than through the committee, and proposed a revision to remove the agenda item. South Korea rejected this proposal and called for a vote.

The vote, conducted via secret ballot among the 21 member countries, resulted in Japan's amendment passing with 7 votes in favor and 3 against, while some countries appeared to abstain. This outcome indicates a preference among committee members for resolving the issue through direct discussions between South Korea and Japan rather than through UNESCO.

As a result, it has become increasingly difficult for South Korea to raise issues related to Hashima Island at UNESCO during the ongoing session, which will last until July 16. Hashima, also known as Gunkanjima, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in July 2015 as part of Japan's industrial revolution heritage. At the time of its listing, the Japanese government publicly promised to address the forced labor of Koreans, a commitment it has failed to fulfill adequately.

Critics argue that Japan has instead intensified its claims that there was no coercion involved in the recruitment of Korean laborers and comfort women, focusing only on facts that favor its narrative while ignoring the broader historical context. Notably, the information center opened in 2020 has been criticized for omitting any mention of Korean forced labor, instead highlighting Japan's industrialization as a point of pride. The center's location in Tokyo, rather than in Kyushu, where many heritage sites are located, has also sparked controversy.

Over the past decade, Japan has repeatedly faced scrutiny from the committee regarding its inadequate follow-up actions, with four related decisions adopted in 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2023. However, the most recent decision in 2023 required Japan to submit an 'update report' rather than a 'formal report,' which would automatically be subject to committee review. This change occurred when South Korea was not a member of the committee, limiting its negotiating power.

In response, South Korea had to engage in extensive diplomatic efforts to bring this issue to the committee's agenda. Conversely, Japan argued that since it had already undergone multiple reviews by the committee, it was now appropriate to resolve the matter through bilateral discussions with South Korea. The lack of consensus ultimately led to the unprecedented failure to formalize the agenda item.

Analysts suggest that Japan's significant financial contributions to UNESCO and the prolonged nature of this issue may have influenced the committee's decision. While the South Korean government remains committed to revisiting Japan's insufficient compliance in other contexts, it appears challenging to do so at the UNESCO level. Furthermore, Japan's rigid stance on historical issues may add strain to Korea-Japan relations.