South Korea's tidal flats gain expanded UNESCO World Heritage status

South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo celebrated the expanded inscription of Korea's tidal flats into the UNESCO World Heritage list, calling it a "valuable achievement" made five years after the initial listing of four sites.

"Today, at the 48th World Heritage Committee meeting held in Busan, the tidal flats of Seosan in Chungcheongnam-do, and Muan, Goheung, and Yeosu in Jeollanam-do were additionally inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage sites," Han announced on social media. He emphasized the symbolic significance of this announcement occurring during the first World Heritage Committee meeting hosted in South Korea.

The expanded inscription, referred to as "Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats (Phase 2)," underscores the enhanced ecological connectivity and integrity of the nation's tidal flats. Prime Minister Han highlighted their crucial role as a vital stopover for endangered migratory birds and their contribution to biodiversity conservation. He stated that this recognition further affirms the "outstanding universal value" of these sites, which must be protected not only by South Korea but by all of humanity.