Should “Gunkanjima” Be a World Heritage site? - The forgotten scars of Korean forced labor

South Korea's opposition to Japan's nomination of Meiji industrial sites for UNESCO World Heritage status, particularly due to the use of Korean forced labor at seven locations, highlighted a contentious chapter in history. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) initially approved the inscription, but South Korea's objections drew global attention to these 'forgotten scars.' Despite diplomatic efforts, including bilateral talks and international advocacy by South Korea, no resolution was reached before the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee in Bonn. The study underscores the ethical and historical complexities surrounding heritage recognition, where economic progress narratives often obscure human rights violations.

Yasunori, T., & Loo, T. M. (2015). Should “Gunkanjima” Be a World Heritage site? - The forgotten scars of Korean forced labor. Asia-Pacific Journal, 13(50). https://doi.org/10.1017/s1557466015017866