UNESCO World Heritage Committee Opens in Busan for First Time in Korea

[Anchor]

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee kicked off in Busan yesterday (July 19). With an unprecedented number of world heritage experts visiting the city, Busan is once again in the spotlight.

KNN reporter Jo Jin-wook has the story.

[Reporter]

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the most important decision-making body in the field of world heritage, has begun its 48th session in Busan.

[G-DRAGON / UNESCO World Heritage Committee Honorary Ambassador: As a Korean artist, I hope that our small hearts, starting here in Busan, will become a grand stage of peace that connects the entire world.]

This is the first time the World Heritage Committee has been held in Korea.

With approximately 3,000 UNESCO experts and domestic and international visitors from 196 countries gathering in Busan, a total of 33 world heritage sites will be reviewed during this session.

[Khaled El-Enany / UNESCO Representative: It is time for us to reflect collectively on the challenges we face, our common priorities, and the opportunities to strengthen the capacity of the World Heritage Convention and its centers.]

Key points of interest include whether additional Korean tidal flats will be inscribed and if a new consensus, the so-called Busan Declaration, will be reached.

For Busan, which is pushing for the inscription of its heritage as a wartime capital, being the host city itself is a favorable factor.

[Lee Jae-myung / President: 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 here in Busan.]

Notably, this year's event is being conducted as a cultural festival rather than just a formal meeting.

This is BEXCO in Busan, the hub of the event.

The Korea Pavilion has been established, showcasing everything about domestic culture beyond just Busan.

Performances of intangible heritage that are rarely seen, such as the Dongnae Hakchum (Crane Dance) and the Namhaean Byeolsingut (Village Ritual), are held daily, and there are plenty of attractions including the Joseon Royal Procession and the Changing of the Royal Guard ceremony.

[Bibi Patino / Tourist from Colombia: The Hanbok, which highlights Korean tradition, is really beautiful. I wore it because I wanted to blend in with Busan.]

At the museum, the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty are gathered together for the first time in the country, and events such as the Cultural Night and the special Joseon Tongsinsa (Diplomatic Mission) procession are being held for free, transforming Busan into a venue for a cultural festival.

[Nicole Mostsiro / Tourist from Peru: The people of Busan are really kind, and I am really looking forward to this UNESCO World Heritage Committee.]

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which will serve as an opportunity to awaken the potential value of Busan as a cultural city, will continue until July 29.

(Video by Hwang Tae-chul, KNN)

Reported by Jo Jin-wook, KNN
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.