Question

    What was a significant factor in the UNESCO World Heritage Committee's decision to register Japan's Sado gold mine as a cultural heritage site?

    A Japan's commitment to re-open the mine for commercial use Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B Japan's agreement to exhibit information about the abuse of Korean laborers during World War II Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C The discovery of new gold reserves within the mine Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D South Korea's formal endorsement of the mine's historical significance Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E Japan's refusal to acknowledge the mine's wartime history Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    The UNESCO World Heritage committee decided to register the Sado gold mine in Japan as a cultural heritage site after Japan agreed to include exhibits on the abuse of Korean laborers during World War II. This decision was crucial because the mine's historical significance is tied not only to its status as a major gold producer but also to its controversial past involving wartime abuses. By agreeing to acknowledge and exhibit this part of its history, Japan took a step toward transparency and reconciliation, which also contributed to improving diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea. This agreement was pivotal in gaining unanimous support for the mine's registration at the committee's annual meeting in New Delhi, emphasizing the importance of historical acknowledgment in heritage conservation. This move is seen as part of broader efforts to heal historical wounds and improve bilateral relations between the two countries.

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