International media as well as Japanese news outlets have taken a closer look at an exhibition hosted by the Industrial Heritage Information Centre in Tokyo. The exhibition's displays claim no discrimination against Koreans occurred on Hashima Island, aka Battleship Island. (Screen shot from Asahi Shimbun)
By Lee Kyoung Mi and Yoon Sojung
Global media are taking a closer look at a history distortion row ignited by Japan's Industrial Heritage Information Centre, which was opened to the public in Tokyo on June 15.
In addition to Japanese news outlets, those in China, Hong Kong and Russia conducted major coverage on the Korean government's response to the center. Seoul condemned Tokyo over the center and its exhibition, saying the Japanese government is trying to hide the truth behind its history of forced labor.
Japan's Asahi Shimbun on June 16 extensively covered the center in the article "Exhibition claims no discrimination, Korea protests." The daily said the center featured the testimony of a Hashima Island resident saying he had never heard of discrimination against Korean workers on the island.
"The Japanese government pledged to the World Heritage Committee in July 2015 to promote better understanding of its forced labor policy and the many Korean victims forced to work under harsh conditions, as well as sincerely responding to related issues, when it was preparing to build the center," Asahi said.
This article thus hinted at Japan's failure to keep the promise it made to the international community.
Kyodo News on June 15 also reported on the center and related issues by quoting Korean news media in its stories "Info center's exhibition lacks clear explanation of damage to Korean forced laborers" and "Exhibition could be another factor to worsen Korea-Japan relations."
Earlier on June 13, the news service blasted the center, saying it "will provoke criticism that Japan is promoting historical revisionism intended to whitewash its past wrongdoings."
The Hong Kong-based Oriental Daily on June 15 said, "Japan denied poor treatment of Korean laborers forced to work under harsh conditions on Battleship Island."
"Because Japan made public testimony from an island resident to refute the 'masochistic historical view' related to Korean victims of forced labor, this will led to historical revisionism that hides the truth of history."
Other news outlets abroad such as China's Xinhuanet and The Chinanews and Russia's Itar-Tass covered the center's exhibition opening. They also reported that Second Vice Foreign Minister Lee Tae-ho summoned Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koji Tomita and the statement of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Kim In-chul expressing Seoul's strong protest over the matter.
km137426@korea.kr
