Seo Kyungduk: "Japan Fails to Keep Decade-Old Promise to Publicize Gunkanjima History"

"Gunkanjima Should Be Raised as an International Issue"

Japan is facing criticism for failing to fulfill its decade-old promise to publicize the history of Gunkanjima (Hashima), including the forced labor of Koreans.

Gunkanjima. Provided by Professor Seo Kyungduk

Professor Seo Kyungduk of Sungshin Women's University stated in a press release on July 11, "The Korean government recently proposed at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee that the implementation of Japan's follow-up measures be evaluated." He added, "The intention was to highlight the seriousness of the issue by making it an official agenda item in the international community, but the Japanese government countered by insisting that it was a bilateral matter to be discussed with Korea. In the end, after an unprecedented vote between Korea and Japan, Japan's revised proposal was unfortunately adopted with a majority in favor."

He said, "This time, the Japanese government is unusually silent," and added, "Despite its victory in the UNESCO vote, Japanese government ministries, which could have touted this as a diplomatic achievement, have remained tight-lipped." He continued, "Neither the Japanese Foreign Minister nor the Chief Cabinet Secretary, who serves as the government spokesperson, mentioned the recent UNESCO issue regarding Gunkanjima during their regular briefings."

Professor Seo emphasized, "This is a strategy by the Japanese government to quietly cover up the Gunkanjima issue in the international community." He added, "We must work even more actively to inform the international community about Japan's history of forced labor, not only on Gunkanjima but also at Sado Mine."

He also stated, "If global public opinion is formed, the Japanese government will inevitably be forced to acknowledge its past."