South Korea has shown strong discomfort about Japan’s failure to acknowledge Korean forced labor on Hashima Island. South Korea accused Japan for breaking its pledge to fully acknowledge and memorialize suffering in brutal working condition. This issue highlights ongoing tension between two nations over historical accountability.

• Korea JoongAng Daily Article: https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/06/21/national/politics/Hashima-Island-Unesco-Japan/20200621180800345.html

• Kyunghyang Shinmun Article: https://www.khan.co.kr/article/202507081741117/amp

• The Chosun Daily Article: https://www.chosun.com/english/industry-en/2025/07/08/PVEBGR2E2FABHNCKRJZY6SMKE4/

“Hashima Island” is a Japanese coal mine island located about 15 km (9 mi) from Nagasaki with a dark history during World War II. One of Japan’s largest companies, Mitsubishi, utilized Korean and Chinese laborers to forcefully work in coal mines under harsh conditions, with many dying due to accidents, exhaustion, and malnutrition.