Mannequins representing mining during the Edo period are displayed in the Sodayu mine shaft of the Sado Mine located in Aikawa, Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Reporter Choi Won-cheol
The Korean government is perplexed after Japan announced that it would send a person with a history of visiting Yasukuni Shrine as a government representative to a memorial service commemorating workers, including Koreans, who were forcibly mobilized from the Sado Mine during Japanese colonial rule.
In particular, in relation to the memorial service, the Korean and Japanese governments have been discussing the number of attendees, but it appears that the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not know in advance about the Japanese representative’s history of visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, and some voices are criticizing its incompetent diplomatic capabilities.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced just before noon that day that Political Affairs Officer Akiko Ikuina will attend the ‘Sado Mine Memorial Ceremony’ to be held at the Aikawa Development Center in Sado City on the 24th.
The Korean government has been requesting the attendance of a vice-minister-level political affairs officer to attend the memorial service, and he is a person whose rank corresponds to this. The problem is that Political Affairs Officer Ikuina visited Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, 2022, the day of Japan’s defeat.
It is pointed out that it is inappropriate for a person who visited Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined, to represent the Japanese government at an event commemorating Korean workers who suffered from forced labor during Japanese colonial rule, which is an insult to the Korean bereaved families who will be attending the event.
Although the Korean government knew before the Japanese government’s announcement that Political Affairs Officer Ikuina would be attending, it appears to have been unaware of his history of problems.
Originally, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official was scheduled to give a briefing to reporters at 2 p.m. on this day explaining the progress of Korea-Japan negotiations related to the memorial ceremony, but it was suddenly canceled just five minutes before the start time.
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs closed his mouth, saying, “There is nothing we can say in the current situation,” without explaining the specific reason for the cancellation.
As they belatedly became aware of Ikuina Ikuina’s history of problems through media reports, they are embarrassed and are struggling to come up with countermeasures.
The memorial ceremony was a measure promised by Japan upon the consent of Korea when the UNESCO World Heritage Committee registered the Sado Mine as a World Cultural Heritage last July, but there were persistent concerns whether it could be held without it in accordance with the purpose of honoring Korean workers. .
Controversy has continued as it is unclear whether Japan’s memorial address will contain content comforting Korean workers, and Korea will also bear the cost of attending the memorial service for 11 Korean bereaved families.
Even in the official name ‘Sado Mine Memorial Ceremony’, there is no trace of mourning for the victims.
These concerns are expected to grow further as Japan selects a person with a history of visiting Yasukuni as its government representative.
If this continues, there are concerns that the Korean bereaved family, who traveled far to attend the memorial service, may end up only as a bridesmaid and the open wounds in their hearts may deepen.
Given this situation, it is expected that some will argue that Japan should boycott attendance at the memorial ceremony unless it replaces its government representative.
**How does Japan’s framing of the memorial ceremony, including its name and the selection of the representative, impact the perceived sincerity of its apology and efforts towards reconciliation with Korea?**
## Interview: Sado Mine Memorial Ceremony and the Searing Legacy of Forced Labor
**Welcome to World-Today-News.com. Today, we are discussing a complex and sensitive issue surrounding the upcoming Sado Mine Memorial Ceremony in Japan, with its troubling implications for Korea-Japan relations. Joining us are two distinguished experts:**
**(Introduce Guests with brief background and expertise)**
**Section 1: Historical Context and the Memorial Ceremony**
* **To our guests, the Sado Mine holds a deeply troubling place in history for Koreans. Could you each elaborate on the significance of this site and the nature of forced labor that occurred there during Japanese colonial rule? **
* **Japan’s commitment to the memorial ceremony was a key factor in UNESCO’s decision to grant the Sado Mine World Heritage status. However, what are the potential pitfalls or limitations of this memorial service as a gesture of reconciliation?**
* **The name of the ceremony itself, ”Sado Mine Memorial Ceremony,” has been flagged as problematic by some. Does it adequately address the suffering of Korean workers, or does it lack the necessary weight and empathy?**
**Section 2: Japan’s Selection of the Representative**
* **The selection of Akiko Ikuina, who has a history of visiting Yasukuni Shrine, to represent Japan at this ceremony has sparked outrage among Koreans. Could you each offer perspectives on why this choice is so deeply offensive and what implications it holds for healing historical wounds?**
* **What does this selection reveal about Japan’s current stance on its colonial past and its willingness to engage in meaningful reconciliation with Korea?**
* **Is there a possibility for a diplomatic solution in this situation? What steps could each side take to address this issue and ensure a more meaningful and respectful commemoration?**
**Section 3: Looking Ahead: Korea-Japan Relations and Reconciliation**
* **This episode highlights the ongoing challenges in Korea-Japan relations. What are some of the broader obstacles hindering deeper reconciliation between these two nations?**
* **In your view, what concrete steps can be taken to build a more constructive and empathetic dialog between Korea and Japan regarding this sensitive issue?**
* **
Do you believe the Sado Mine Memorial Ceremony, despite the controversies surrounding it, can serve as a stepping stone towards greater understanding and healing in the future? How can we ensure that such tragedies are never repeated?**
**Closing Remarks**
**Thank you both for providing such insightful and thought-provoking perspectives on this complex and important issue. I believe this conversation has shed light on the intricate layers of history, politics, and emotion involved in the Sado Mine Memorial Ceremony. The path towards true reconciliation is undoubtedly long and arduous, but hopefully, open dialog and critical reflection can pave the way forward.**
