South Korea will hold a memorial next month to honor Sado mine victims. The ceremony will recognize Koreans forced into labor during Japan’s colonial rule. The event also underscores Seoul’s determination to preserve historical truth while seeking better relations with Tokyo.
Ambassador to Japan Lee Hyuk announced the plan during a parliamentary audit at the South Korean Embassy in Tokyo. He said the government would organize its own memorial, separate from Japan’s event. The move reflects South Korea’s commitment to properly honor those who suffered at the historic mine in Niigata Prefecture.
The Sado mine victims became a key issue after Japan pledged a memorial when the mine gained UNESCO World Heritage status in July last year. However, South Korea objected to Japan’s narrative, which it believes downplays the coercive nature of wartime labor.
Seoul boycotted Japan’s memorials held in November last year and again in September this year. Officials cited ongoing differences over how to describe the forced labor of Korean workers. Instead, South Korea held its own service two days after Japan’s first ceremony to honor the Sado mine victims.
Lee reaffirmed South Korea’s firm position on historical accountability. He said the government will continue to honor the memory of Sado mine victims with dignity and truth. At the same time, he stressed the need for continued cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo.
“It appears that closer security and defense cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan has become the trend of our time,” Lee said. “However, a trilateral military alliance is not an option.”
He also discussed the Lee Jae Myung administration’s “two-track” policy, which separates historical disputes from future cooperation. Lee said Korea will never compromise on historical justice. Yet, he added that such issues should not block progress in diplomacy or trade.
The upcoming ceremony for Sado mine victims highlights South Korea’s effort to balance remembrance and reconciliation. It shows a commitment to justice while maintaining regional stability. As preparations continue, the event is expected to draw attention from activists and historians seeking a full acknowledgment of the past.
