S. Korea gov't to skip Sado mine memorial for 3rd straight year

NIIGATA, Japan - South Korea's government will not attend for the third straight year a memorial ceremony for laborers, including those from the Korean Peninsula, who worked at the gold and silver mine complex on Japan's Sado Island during World War II, Japanese officials said Wednesday.

The move, which was also announced by South Korea's Foreign Ministry, comes as the two countries remain divided over the wording of the memorial remarks. The ceremony will be held Saturday at the Sado Island Gold Mines, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Niigata Prefecture, to honor all of the workers, including those from the Korean Peninsula.