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International relations

Japan, South Korea spar over Sado gold mines' World Heritage bid

Seoul says Tokyo's move ignores historical link to wartime labor

Japan and South Korea are at odds over Tokyo's nomination of former gold mines as a World Heritage site. (Nikkei montage)

TOKYO -- The Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers clashed Thursday over Tokyo's nomination of former gold mines for UNESCO World Heritage status despite Seoul's protests over their links to wartime labor.

South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong expressed "deep disappointment and protested against" Japan's backing of the remains of centuries-old gold and silver mines on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, according to the South Korean Foreign Ministry's readout of the talks.

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