Korea calls for UN monitoring of Japan's compliance on UNESCO World Heritage Site

Korea's foreign minister has asked the U.N. cultural agency to monitor Japan's compliance with recommendations on a Japanese mine complex, which is associated with Korea's wartime forced labor and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cho Tae-yul made the request in a meeting with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday (local time), the foreign ministry said in a release.

The Sado mine complex — one of the world's largest gold producers in the 17th century — was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July after Japan agreed to reflect the full history of the site, including its connection to Korean forced labor.

Korea agreed to the inscription on the condition that Japan faithfully implements the recommendations of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, an advisory body to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

Among the conditions is Japan's development of a comprehensive interpretation and exhibition that includes a sincere memorial to all workers, particularly Korean laborers who were forced into labor during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

Separately, Azoulay expressed her gratitude for Korea's support in various UNESCO initiatives in Africa, including vocational training programs. (Yonhap)