Yeosu, Goheung, Muan, and Seosan Tidal Flats Added to UNESCO World Heritage List, Expanding 'Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats'

The tidal flats of Yeosu, Goheung, Muan, and Seosan have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage site "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats."

During its morning session today (July 25), the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, currently taking place in Busan, made the final decision to expand the inscription of "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats, Phase 2" onto the World Heritage list.

This decision does not constitute a separate new World Heritage inscription; rather, it expands the boundaries of the existing "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats," which was inscribed as a World Heritage site in 2021, by incorporating new tidal flat areas.

UNESCO classifies this procedure as a "significant boundary change."

Consequently, while South Korea's total number of World Heritage properties remains unchanged, the range of tidal flats protected and managed as World Heritage has significantly expanded.

With the addition of the new areas to the existing Seocheon, Gochang, Shinan, and Boseong-Suncheon tidal flats, "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats" now consists of a total of six component parts.

The expanded "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats" comprises the Boseong-Suncheon-Yeosu-Goheung tidal flat, the Shinan-Muan Tandoman tidal flat, the Muan Hamhaeman tidal flat, the Gochang tidal flat, the Seocheon tidal flat, and the Seosan tidal flat.

The term "Phase 2" used by the World Heritage Committee does not denote a tier of World Heritage status, but rather a follow-up expansion inscription that broadens the scope of the heritage site by including additional tidal flat areas following the initial inscription in 2021.

Previously, "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats" was first inscribed on the World Heritage List at the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2021, receiving recognition for its Outstanding Universal Value across four tidal flats: Seocheon, Gochang, Shinan, and Boseong-Suncheon.

At the time, the World Heritage Committee recommended pursuing a Phase 2 expansion inscription incorporating additional tidal flat areas to more fully demonstrate the value held by "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats."

Since the initial inscription, the government has reviewed the World Heritage values of the additional tidal flat areas in cooperation with relevant central ministries, local governments, local communities, and the Korean Tidal Flats World Heritage Nomination Promotion Group.

Efforts were also advanced to designate protective zones for the additional areas, refine management systems, consult with local communities, and respond to evaluations by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the advisory body to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

During this review, the World Heritage Committee recognized that "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats" fulfills Criterion 10 for World Heritage inscription, which deals with the importance of biodiversity and the conservation of endangered species.

Criterion 10 requires the inclusion of the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.

The committee particularly praised the natural heritage value of "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats" in contributing to the conservation of internationally important migratory waterbirds and various marine life as a core habitat within the Yellow Sea ecosystem and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

This expanded inscription holds significance as international recognition of the successful implementation of the recommendations proposed by the World Heritage Committee during the initial inscription in 2021.

The government explained that it is also meaningful for uncovering additional component parts, enhancing the biodiversity conservation value and integrity of "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats," and reinforcing the foundation for its protection and management.

Another key significance of this decision is the reaffirmed importance of international cooperation to preserve the Yellow Sea ecosystem and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

Moving forward, the National Heritage Administration plans to systematically preserve and manage the Outstanding Universal Value of "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats" in cooperation with relevant central ministries, local governments, local communities, and the Korean Tidal Flats World Heritage Nomination Promotion Group.

It also aims to establish a foundation for sustainable utilization in partnership with local communities.

(Photo courtesy of the Korean Tidal Flats World Heritage Nomination Promotion Group, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.