Professor David William Kim, an expert advisor on World Heritage to the Cultural Heritage Administration and a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society (UK), gave a live interview on Arirang TV, a Korean English-language channel, regarding the importance, significance, and its impact on Korea.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is a UN international organization comprising 196 States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, which work to protect and manage cultural and natural heritage sites of outstanding universal value. The Committee deliberates on the inscription of new World Heritage sites and assesses the state of conservation of existing sites.

It also designates sites at risk of damage as “World Heritage in Danger” and recommends conservation measures. The decisions of the World Heritage Committee serve as a key benchmark for guiding international cooperation aimed at passing on humanity’s shared heritage to future generations, and they have a significant impact on the protection of cultural and natural heritage. This time, South Korea has submitted a Phase 2 extension nomination to add four tidal flat sites (Yeosu, Goheung, Muan, and Seosan) to its existing World Heritage listing and is now awaiting the results. Below is a brief summary of the interview.

TV Interview Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGN4QZ8QDrw

K-Culture Dive: Busan hosts UNESCO World Heritage gathering

South Korea's southeastern city of Busan is hosting the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, marking Korea's first time hosting this major international meeting at which experts from around the world are gathering to discuss the inscription and preservation of World Heritage sites. There's a great deal of anticipation surrounding this year's UNESCO World Heritage Committee Session. What does hosting the meeting mean for Korea, and what kind of impact do you think it could have? Why was Busan selected as the host city, and what makes it a fitting venue for this global gathering? Korea is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, from ancient temples and royal tombs to historical shrines and Buddhist mountain monasteries. Despite their diversity, what do you think is the common thread that makes Korea's World Heritage sites so distinctive?

Jongmyo Shrine, located in central Seoul, is one of Korea's best-known UNESCO World Heritage sites. What makes Jongmyo such a fascinating subject to study? Beyond World Heritage, Korea's traditional jang-making culture was inscribed by UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024. What moment from that experience has stayed with you the most? What are some of the key issues that will be discussed during this year's committee session in Busan? Are there any agenda items related to Korea that we should pay special attention to? Inscribing a site on the World Heritage List is only the beginning. Preserving and managing it for future generations is just as important. Looking ahead, how do you think Korea should continue to protect and make the most of its World Heritage sites? Finally, how would you define cultural heritage? And if there is one aspect of Korea's cultural heritage that you wish more people around the world knew about, what would it be?

For further details, see: https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=298367&lang=en