First UNESCO World Heritage Committee Meeting in Korea: "Cultural Powerhouse Korea to Contribute"

[Anchor]

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has opened in Busan, marking the first time the event has been held in South Korea. President Lee Jae-myung emphasized that "the Republic of Korea will contribute to the protection of world heritage and global peace."

Reporter Kang Min-u has the story.

[Reporter]

With a changing of the guard ceremony, the 'Gate of Korea' opens, and 'Ganggangsullae,' which was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, graces the stage.

Since South Korea joined the World Heritage Convention in 1988, this is the first time the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has been held in Korea, taking place in Busan.

At the opening ceremony held today (July 19), attended by some 1,200 people including representatives from 196 member states and honorary ambassador G-Dragon, President Lee Jae-myung highlighted the history of the host city, Busan—a city that evolved from a wartime capital during the Korean War to a gateway for international aid, and now to a maritime capital.

[President Lee Jae-myung: It is perhaps destiny that the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, where the international community gathers to protect and inherit humanity's precious heritage, is being held in Busan.]

Noting that the spirit of the UNESCO Constitution, which states that 'since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed,' aligns with the 'cultural nation' envisioned by Baekbeom Kim Koo, who would have turned 150 this year, the President pledged that South Korea, now a cultural powerhouse, would take the lead in protecting world heritage and contributing to international peace.

[President Lee Jae-myung: Based on the 'power of high culture,' we will continue the vision of Baekbeom by protecting humanity's precious heritage together and contributing to world peace and prosperity.]

The committee will review 33 nominations for World Heritage inscription and examine the conservation status of 147 existing World Heritage sites through July 29.

Attention is focused on whether 'Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats,' which was inscribed as a World Heritage site in 2021, will succeed in its 'extension' bid to expand its scope and coverage to areas such as Goheung, South Jeolla Province.

(Video reporting: Ha Ryung, Video editing: Jung Sung-hun, Graphics: Jo Su-in)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.