Getbol, Tidal Flats Surrounding Yellow Sea, Transcend Borders as 'World Heritage' Zone… Highlighting Need for Inter-Korean, Chinese Conservation Cooperation

The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee concluded in Busan, South Korea, after inscribing 28 new heritage sites. The committee, which brought together over 3,000 representatives from 196 member states, adopted the "Busan Declaration" on July 20. This declaration stresses the need for international cooperation to preserve natural and cultural heritage facing threats from climate change and war.

During the ten-day session, 19 cultural, 5 natural, and 1 mixed heritage site were added to the World Heritage list from 33 nominated candidates. South Korea achieved a significant expansion of its World Heritage status with the second phase of inscription for its "Getbol" (tidal flats) in Goheung, Muan, Yeosu, and Seosan. This follows the initial inscription of tidal flats in Seocheon and Gochang, and Boseong and Suncheon in 2021.

Following the confirmation of the "Getbol" expansion, South Korea, China, and UNESCO experts issued a joint declaration emphasizing the necessity of transboundary conservation cooperation for the Yellow Sea's tidal flats and coastal wetlands. The committee also reviewed the conservation status of 148 existing sites and three newly inscribed ones, placing six sites, including Lebanon's "Tyre" and Ukraine's "Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese," on the "List of World Heritage in Danger."

Individually, Greece's "Great Vitosha Mountain" was the sole mixed heritage site inscribed. Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe, and South Sudan celebrated their first-ever World Heritage inscriptions. Japan's inscribed sites also drew attention due to their connections with Korea, including the Sado Island Gold Mine, for which a decision was made to improve its exhibition and interpretation to comprehensively cover its history, including forced labor of Koreans. The "Asuka-Fujiwara: The Ancient Capitals of Japan, Cradle of Japanese Culture" was also confirmed, with the National Heritage Administration expressing hope that the exchange with the Korean Peninsula, a key value of the site, will be more faithfully reflected on location.

The Korean Pavilion at the BEXCO exhibition center, serving as a traditional culture experience space, attracted over 120,000 visitors during the committee's session. The 49th session of the World Heritage Committee is scheduled to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, in June-July of next year.