The Sado Island Gold Mines in Niigata Prefecture were registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list in July.

In a related move, a memorial ceremony for all who worked at the mines, including Korean laborers, took place in Sado on November 24.

From the Japanese government, Parliamentary Vice Foreign Minister Ikuina Akiko attended, but South Korea did not attend.

S/ Watanabe Ryugo, Sado Mayor / After we locals made preparations, this outcome is very disappointing.

South Korea initially opposed the World Heritage listing, noting that Korean laborers were forced to work at the mines, but later supported the site's registration after Japan agreed to hold the memorial.

However, the South Korean Foreign Ministry announced on November 23 that it will not take part in the ceremony “due to various circumstances,” without giving any specific reasons.

South Korean media reports said Seoul was apparently not happy with the participation of Ikuina, who visited the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo in the past.