Japan calls South Korean absence from Sado gold mine workers’ memorial ‘regrettable’

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa expressed regret that a South Korean government official did not attend a memorial service for gold mine workers on Sado Island on Sunday.

In July, gold mines in Japan’s central Niigata prefecture received UNESCO World Heritage status. South Korea initially objected to the move, saying people from the Korean Peninsula were forced to work there.

South Korea then gave its consent on the condition that Japan faithfully implement the recommendations of the UNESCO advisory body.

A South Korean representative and relatives of the slain mine workers were scheduled to attend the memorial but abruptly canceled their visit on Saturday.

The South Korean government explained that there was not enough time to harmonize views on the ceremony and it would be difficult to reach an agreement that would be acceptable to Seoul.

Hayashi said on Monday that the Japanese government was communicating carefully with the South Korean government and the local government hosting the event.

He said Japan was unable to explain why the South Korean side decided not to attend, but the absence was regrettable.

South Korean media reported that Seoul’s decision came after the Japanese government said parliamentary Vice Foreign Minister Ikuina Akiko would attend the ceremony as its representative.

News outlets noted that Ikuina visited the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo.

The temple honors the memory of those killed in the Japanese war. Those remembered include leaders convicted of war crimes after World War II.

Ikuina attended the event on Sunday, as did Niigata Gov. Hanazumi Hideyo.

Hayashi said that Ikuina has not visited Yasukuni Shrine since she became a member of the upper house. He added that Japan explained the circumstances of the case to South Korea.