Japan's Zodu Mine was selected as World Heritage. Previously, South Korea strongly opposed Japan's declaration due to historical controversy

[Global Times Comprehensive Report] The Kyodo News Agency quoted people familiar with the matter on the 28th that the UNESCO did not include Japan's Sakura Mine in the 2023 World Heritage List on the grounds of incomplete information in the recommendation book.

Data Map of the Gold Mine Site of Zodu Island in Japan

According to the Niigata Prefecture Government of Japan, Zodu Mine, located in Zinkoa, Niigata Prefecture, was one of the world's largest gold mines in the 17th century. In December last year, the Japanese Cultural Affairs Commission included the list of candidates for the World Heritage Declaration of Sadu Mine, which triggered a fierce protest from South Korea. South Korea said that during World War II, thousands of workers on the Korean Peninsula had been forced to do hard work, so they tried to urge the Japanese government to abandon the declaration. Faced with the strong opposition from South Korea, the Japanese government has considered a suspension of declaration, but eventually submitted a recommendation letter to the United Nations Education Organization in February this year, and officially applied for the listing of Zodu Mine in the World Heritage List.

The UNESCO once expressed concerns about the conflict between the two countries on historical issues that could affect the World Heritage Commission. In the end, the recommendation of the recommendation of the recommendation of Zodu Mine for the next review is not finally reviewed. Mines will not be included in the 2013 World Heritage List. The Japanese government plans to try to apply again in 2024 or later. (Chen Yahan)

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