"We Must Change Our Diplomatic Strategy Toward Japan"
As it has been revealed that Japan has continuously refused to accept South Korea's requests during the follow-up process after registering the 'Meiji Industrial Revolution Heritage,' which includes the Hashima coal mine (also known as Gunkanjima), a site of forced labor of Koreans, Professor Seo Kyung-deok of Sungshin Women's University criticized, saying, "This was already predictable."
On the 3rd, Professor Seo stated on his social media (SNS), "I suspected this from the moment the Industrial Heritage Information Center, or the Gunkanjima Exhibition Hall, which was created to inform the entire history of Gunkanjima, was established in Tokyo, 1000 km away from Gunkanjima."
Professor Seo pointed out that the Gunkanjima Exhibition Hall is located in a remote area, making it difficult to visit, and said, "This clearly shows that the Japanese government is not proud of this facility." He also emphasized that the prohibition of taking photos and videos of the exhibits inside Gunkanjima is believed to be a measure taken out of fear that distorted information might widely spread if the exhibits were leaked outside. He criticized, "The biggest problem is that it does not mention at all the horrific historical facts experienced by the victims of forced mobilization of Koreans on Gunkanjima."
Professor Seo urged, "We have been deceived by Japan for the past nine years," and added, "Now, we must change our diplomatic strategy toward Japan." He also stressed, "Above all, continuous public interest in the history of forced mobilization is necessary."
According to the follow-up report released by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee on the 31st of last month (local time), Japan has largely ignored the promises made at the time of registration, such as exhibiting testimonies of Korean forced labor victims and explaining the entire history of forced labor at the Industrial Heritage Information Center.
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