The United States on Thursday declined comment on Japan’s bid to list some of its 19th century industrial complexes as UNESCO World Heritage sites despite strong opposition from South Korea and China.
Japan’s pursuit of world heritage status for 23 industrial sites is yet another source of historical tension in the region because some of the facilities are where a number of Korean slave laborers toiled during Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule.
The bid is seen as an attempt to beautify Japan’s wartime past.
South Korea has expressed concerns and urged Japan to fully disclose the Japanese mobilization of Korean forced laborers during the colonial era. China has expressed opposition, saying applications for the World Heritage should not glorify the history of colonization.
Asked for comment on the issue, the U.S. State Department only referred queries to Korea and Japan.
Washington has taken a cautious attitude about historical tensions between Seoul and Tokyo, its two key Asian allies, calling only for resolution of such issues in a way that promotes healing and reconciliation.
Earlier this week, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) gave the green light to Japan’s attempt for the Paris-based organization’s recognition of 23 coal mines, shipyards and other early industrial zones, according to Japanese media reports.
The council is expected to announce its decision later this month before the 21-member World Heritage Committee is scheduled to open a weeklong meeting in Germany on June 28 to make a final decision on whether to accept the ICOMOS’ recommendation. (Yonhap)
