Busan Hosts 'Olympics of World Heritage' for UNESCO Committee Session

Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, is hosting the 'Olympics of World Heritage' as the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee convenes. The committee, responsible for crucial decisions on preserving humanity's natural and cultural heritage, will meet from June 19 to 29. This marks the first time South Korea has hosted the event since joining the World Heritage Convention in 1988.

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The World Heritage Committee is an international conference body under UNESCO that makes the most important judgments and decisions regarding the preservation of natural and cultural heritage left by humanity on Earth.

Delegates from 196 signatory nations, though only 21 are elected committee members, will examine 30 new World Heritage nominations and three proposed modifications to existing sites. South Korea aims to expand its "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats" UNESCO World Natural Heritage site by adding areas in Goheung, Muan, Yeosu, and Seosan. Other notable nominations include Japan's "Asuka-Fujiwara: Archaeological Sites of the Ancient Capitals of Japan" and Mongolia's "Xiongnu elite cemeteries," which involved South Korean excavation teams.

The committee is also expected to adopt the "Busan Declaration," focusing on credibility, conservation, capacity-building, communication, community, and collaboration. A contentious issue on the agenda is the redevelopment project near Seoul's Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995. The National Heritage Administration's call for a heritage impact assessment has clashed with the Seoul Metropolitan Government's refusal, and the committee's stance is highly anticipated. The nomination of Japan's Sado Mine, which has faced controversy over allegations of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period, is also expected to generate debate.

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The committee will review and decide on the inscription of new candidate heritage sites and evaluate and deliberate on the conservation status of existing inscribed heritage sites.

Beyond the official proceedings, Busan will host a "Korea Pavilion" at the BEXCO exhibition center, featuring performances of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage items and experiential programs. Events like the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony from Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul will be recreated daily. The opening ceremony will feature a performance by singer G-Dragon, the ambassador for the Busan World Heritage Committee.

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The committee is also pursuing the adoption and announcement of the 'Busan Declaration,' which adds Collaboration to five strategic goals: Credibility, Conservation, Capacity-building, Communication, and Community, in cooperation with the National Heritage Administration of Korea.