South Korea will not participate in the annual memorial service honoring workers of the defunct Sado Gold Mine (佐渡金山), marking the third consecutive year of its absence. The memorial service commemorates laborers, including many Koreans, who worked in the mines during Japan’s colonial rule. South Korea's continued boycott stems from ongoing historical disputes with Japan regarding wartime labor issues and apologies. The Sado Gold Mine, located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, has become a point of contention as South Korea seeks formal recognition and redress for its citizens forced to work there. Japan maintains that the issue of compensation was settled under a 1965 treaty. This latest decision underscores the strained diplomatic relationship between South Korea and Japan despite recent attempts at improved dialogue. The absence highlights the sensitivity surrounding historical memory and reconciliation efforts.