Paris: The UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC) on Monday turned down South Korea's proposal to review Japan's implementation of measures regarding industrial sites linked to wartime forced labor. This decision came after an unprecedented vote during the WHC session in Paris, where members could not reach a consensus on whether to include the UNESCO-listed Japanese industrial revolution sites as an agenda item for this year's meeting, which continues through next Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, of the 21 WHC member states that cast votes, including South Korea and Japan, seven supported Japan, while only three backed South Korea's proposal. Eight countries abstained, and three ballots were invalid. A simple majority of six was needed for the motion to pass in Japan's favor, with the vote conducted by secret ballot.
South Korea proposed this review to evaluate Japan's adherence to its promises to highlight the "full history" of sites such as Hashima Island, where many Koreans were subjected to forced labor during World War II. Korea was under Japan's colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. The outcome raises doubts about whether these industrial sites will be subject to future UNESCO evaluations, marking a diplomatic setback for Seoul's efforts to urge Tokyo to confront its wartime actions more transparently.
In response to the vote, South Korea expressed its disappointment. "We express regret that the number of votes needed for the adoption was not secured," stated the foreign ministry. They emphasized that their proposal to have the committee review Japan's actions was a "legitimate right and a matter of principle," noting that many member states understood and supported this stance.
The ministry pledged to use the remainder of the WHC session to highlight Japan's shortcomings in fulfilling its commitments and continue to pressure Japan, both bilaterally and in multilateral forums, to honor its promises. In 2015, when 23 of Japan's Meiji-era industrial revolution sites were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, Japan pledged to remember the forced labor victims. Despite establishing a museum in Tokyo to exhibit related history, Japan's efforts have faced criticism from Seoul for not fully addressing the historical context.
Japan has submitted progress reports to UNESCO detailing its implementation efforts, but each report has prompted the committee to urge further action, aligning with South Korea's position that Japan's efforts are inadequate. The WHC has historically reviewed the Japanese industrial sites every two to three years since their UNESCO designation. However, this issue was not on this year's agenda because Japan's latest report, submitted in 2024, was an "update" rather than a formal version that would automatically prompt a review. South Korea's ability to address the issue was further limited, as it is not a WHC member state.