Government Decides to Abruptly Skip Japan Sado Mine Memorial Ceremony One Day Before Event

The government has made a sudden decision to not attend the Sado Mine memorial ceremony, which honors Korean laborers who suffered under forced labor during the Japanese colonial period. The decision appears to have been made after it was revealed that the Japanese representative scheduled to attend had previously visited Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals are enshrined, sparking controversy.

According to Yonhap News on the 23rd, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Considering all circumstances related to the memorial ceremony, our government has decided not to participate in the Sado Mine memorial ceremony scheduled for the 24th."

The reason given for the decision was, "There was insufficient time to reconcile differences between the diplomatic authorities of both countries regarding the memorial ceremony, making it difficult to reach an agreement acceptable to both sides before the ceremony."

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the day before that Akiko Ikuina, a political official, would attend the "Sado Mine Memorial Ceremony" held on the 24th at the Aikawa Development Comprehensive Center in Sado City.

Although the Korean government had requested the attendance of a vice-ministerial level political official, controversy arose when it was revealed that Political Official Ikuina had visited Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, 2022, the day marking Japan's defeat in World War II.

Critics argue that having a Japanese government representative who visited Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined, attend an event commemorating Korean laborers who suffered under forced labor during Japanese colonial rule is inappropriate and insulting to the Korean bereaved families present at the ceremony.