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Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Korea Herald
Changdeokgung's Bullomun to undergo repairs
Bullomun at Changdeokgung, one of the most visited gates at the Joseon-era (1392-1910) palace in Seoul, will be shut down while undergoing repairs. According to the Korea Heritage Service, the stone gate, built to wish the king a long and healthy life, has sustained damage from climate conditions, necessitating conservation work. 'The last time we brought in our conservation experts was 20 years ago, and it's time we did that again,' a Korea Heritage Service official said of the repair plans. 'It's a preemptive measure,' the official explained, adding that visitors rubbing the gate's surface in the belief that it would bring good luck was another factor that prompted the intervention. It's unclear when the gate will reopen to the public, according to the official. A central stop in the palace's Secret Garden, Bullomun connects the southern and northern sides of the garden, a storied compound of natural beauty boasting trees at least 300 years old, ponds, pavilions and halls. The palace garden is a treasured example of traditional Korean architecture and landscaping, with its focus on harmony with nature. Changdeokgung, built in 1405, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. It is the only Joseon-era palace in Seoul with UNESCO recognition. The other palaces are Gyeongbokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Gyeonghuigung.
Korea Herald
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Heritage Week to kick off Friday
The annual Heritage Week will kick off Friday, hosting programs engaging the public to raise awareness of Korean heritage. At over 400 locations from Seoul to Jeju Island, municipalities will showcase their cultural items or practices of exclusive historic significance, according to the Korea Heritage Service, the agency that has been organizing the free event since last year. 'It's an immersive experience open to people as young as grade schoolers,' a KHS official said. At 'Building Your Own Terrarium' program taking place in Seoul, participants will learn how to make a terrarium, a small glass enclosure for holding plants, at the hanok house and atelier of 19th-century landscape painter Yi Sang-beom. In Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, the 'Hyanggyo and Nature' program will introduce visitors to the history of state-run Confucian schools, or hyanggyo, whose establishment dates back to the Goryeo era (918–1392). The "exceptionally rich biodiversity' around hyanggyo premises will also be touched upon, according to the KHS. 'Nongak for Family' is a family-friendly program, where participants will be led to an open field to perform 'nongak,' traditional farmers' music, that served as both a rite and entertainment. 'Remembering Sunduksa' program on Jeju Island will look at how the Buddhist temple Sunduksa influenced life on the island in an immersive exhibition that will highlight heritage artifacts held at the temple. The Heritage Week runs through June 22. Some programs require reservation at
Korea Herald
26-05-2025
- Korea Herald
Bangucheon carvings likely to be named World Heritage Site
Prehistoric carvings located at Bangu Stream in Ulju, Ulsan, may be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, pending approval at a UN body's annual committee meeting in July. The International Council on Monuments and Sites, which advises the 21-member World Heritage Committee, recommended that the committee name the Petroglyphs along Bangu Stream a UNESCO World Heritage Site, according to the Korea Heritage Service on Monday. 'The committee will most likely uphold that recommendation when it meets in July in Paris,' a Korea Heritage Service official said of the 11-day annual committee meeting that will start July 6. The petroglyphs 'manifest the artistry of the people that had lived in the Korean Peninsula,' a work of creative art that focused on rare topics such as whale hunting, the KHS quoted ICOMOS as saying in its decision. The petroglyphs preserve the history of a rock carving culture that spanned some 6,000 years from prehistoric times, demonstrating the 'cultural advancement by the people from southeastern coastlines of the Korean Peninsula,' ICOMOS said in its assessment.
Korea Herald
26-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Korea, seeking key meeting, pledges W5b to UNESCO
Funding could boost Korea's bid to host UNESCO meeting, official says South Korea will contribute a total of 5 billion won ($3.6 million) to UNESCO's fund promoting intangible cultural heritage around the world, as it bids to host a meeting of the UN cultural body in the country. The Korea Heritage Service will gift 1 billion won annually over the next five years to help the body set up an online platform that shares the best practices of preserving intangible heritage, according to the state-run agency, which said a formal arrangement has been signed to oversee progress. A Korea Heritage Service official said the latest donation demonstrates Seoul's commitment to looking after cultural objects of global significance. Currently, Korea is ramping up efforts to host the annual meeting of the 21-member UNESCO World Heritage Committee next year. The meeting, which started in France in 1977, has since convened in only four Asian countries — Thailand, Japan, China and Cambodia. A meeting in Korea, the KHS official noted, would enhance the country's global profile. A July committee meeting in Paris will decide on Korea's bid, the official added, saying a dedicated task force is engaged in last-minute outreach to the 21 member countries that will vote on the host country. Korea is currently the sole country planning to announce a candidate host city in late June. 'The candidate host city will wait for confirmation at the July meeting of the World Heritage Committee,' a KHS official said. 'Our presence at UNESCO is bigger than what some might think,' another KHS official said of the country's growing influence in the organization, referring to Korean entries on UNESCO's list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Korea now has 23 entries, the fourth-highest after China with 39, Turkey with 28 and France with 26. Korea last made the list in December for jang-making, the traditional Korean ways of making fermented pastes and sauces known as 'jang.'
Korea Herald
24-05-2025
- Korea Herald
S. Korea to donate W5b to support UNESCO's intangible heritage efforts
South Korea will donate 5 billion won ($3.65 million) to support UNESCO's efforts to preserve and promote intangible cultural heritage around the world, the country's heritage agency said Saturday. The Korea Heritage Service said it signed a framework arrangement with UNESCO in Paris on Friday to contribute to the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund under the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Under the agreement, the agency will contribute 1 billion won annually over the next five years to support UNESCO's project to create an online platform to share the best practices for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. It marks the first time South Korea has established a separate fund for a UNESCO project related to intangible heritage. South Korea currently has 23 items on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, ranking fourth among the 184 states that are party to the convention. China tops the list with 39, followed by Turkey with 28 and France with 26. During his trip to Paris, Korea Heritage Service Commissioner Choi Eung-chon met with Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, UNESCO's assistant director-general for culture, and emphasized the importance of South Korea hosting the 2026 plenary session of the World Heritage Committee. The venue for the meeting is expected to be determined in July. South Korea has never hosted the session since the committee was first established in Paris in 1977. South Korea is also seeking to become a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2026–2030 term, according to the agency. (Yonhap)
