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South Korea hosts UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the first time in Busan

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will be held in Busan, South Korea, from June 19 to 29, marking the first time the event is hosted in the country.
  • Approximately 3,000 delegates, including UNESCO officials and representatives from 196 signatory nations, are expected to attend the committee meeting, which will review 33 heritage sites for inscription.
  • Busan aims to promote itself as a former Korean War refuge city and seeks the adoption of the 'Busan Declaration,' an international statement on symbolic agendas.

Busan, South Korea, is set to host the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee from June 19 to 29, the first time the international gathering will be held in the country. The event, co-organized by the Cultural Heritage Administration and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, will take place at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO).

The 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee will be held in Busan from June 19 to 29. This is the first time the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is being held in Korea.

— Busan City OfficialAnnouncing the upcoming UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Busan.

An estimated 3,000 participants, including UNESCO's Director-General, delegates from 21 member states, and representatives from 196 signatory nations, are expected to attend. Busan anticipates a significant influx of tourists, projecting around 120,000 visitors during the committee's session. The total budget for the conference is 19.2 billion won, funded by national and city contributions.

The committee will deliberate on 33 heritage nominations, including seven natural sites, 22 cultural sites, one mixed site, two extensions, and one re-inscription. Busan is also pursuing the adoption of the 'Busan Declaration,' an international statement incorporating the city's symbolic agendas. The city plans to leverage the event to promote itself as a former Korean War refuge capital, aiming for its inscription as a World Heritage site by 2030.

We are pushing for the adoption of the 'Busan Declaration,' an international statement that includes Busan's symbolic agendas.

— Busan City OfficialHighlighting Busan's initiative to propose an international declaration during the committee meeting.

Attendees will have opportunities to explore Busan's historical sites, such as the Museum of Modern History and the Temporary Capital Memorial Hall, which represent its wartime refuge history. The program also includes visits to traditional markets, the Bangudae Petroglyphs in Ulsan, and Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju. Various public programs and cultural events are scheduled, including a special outdoor screening of world heritage-themed films and an exhibition showcasing Busan's past and future.

We plan to promote Busan as a refuge city during the Korean War, aiming for its inscription as a World Cultural Heritage site by 2030.

— Busan City OfficialExplaining Busan's strategy to promote its historical significance for World Heritage inscription.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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