National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage

The Korea Heritage Service (KHS, Administrator Huh Min), in partnership with UNESCO, marked the commencement of the first-ever UNESCO World Heritage Committee session hosted by Republic of Korea through an opening ceremony held at BEXCO, Busan, on July 19 at 6:00 PM.

The opening ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including President Lee Jae Myung, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, KHS Administrator Huh Min, and Busan Metropolitan City Mayor Chun Jae-soo. The event featured a pre-ceremony program, special celebratory performances, and a welcoming reception. As part of the pre-ceremony program, the dignitaries toured the "K-Heritage House," an official pavilion established to commemorate the hosting of the Committee session, checking the final preparations to welcome global visitors starting July 20.

Under the theme "Under the Sacred Roof, Echoes of Continuity and Peace" the special celebratory performance opened with a gate-opening performance by the royal palace guards of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It showcased a modern reinterpretation of traditional Korean dances, including Il-mu (One Dance), Shin-Taepyeongmu (New Dance of Great Peace), and Ganggangsullae (Circle Dance). Notably, G-Dragon, the official honorary ambassador for the 48th World Heritage Committee, made a special appearance during the ceremony to deliver an inspiring message of global peace. Taking the stage, G-Dragon stated, "Safeguarding heritage is not merely about preserving the past, but about building peace for the future". He expressed his hope that the small gestures of commitment toward protecting World Heritage originating in Busan would blossom into a grand peace connecting the entire world.

In his welcome remarks, President Lee Jae Myung welcomed delegations from around the world. He emphasized the critical importance of dialogue and international cooperation through the medium of culture and heritage in an era of conflict and division. He expressed the Republic of Korea's strong commitment to connecting the world through the "power of culture" and leading peace and cooperation alongside UNESCO. UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany expressed his gratitude for Korea’s hosting of the Committee session and its significant contributions to the World Heritage Convention.

The opening session of the Committee, chaired by Chairperson Lee Byong Hyun, will formally commence at 10:00 AM on July 20, the day following the opening ceremony. During his welcome remarks as the representative of the host country that morning, KHS Administrator Huh Min plans to deliver a message stating, "Just like the roof of Jongmyo Shrine featured in the Committee's emblem, I hope this session will serve as a platform for collaboration under one roof, gathering people from around the globe to collectively deliberate on the future direction of the World Heritage Convention in response to global crises". In particular, he will draw attention to the severe threats currently facing World Heritage, such as destruction caused by war and damage from climate change. He will underscore the urgent need for solidarity and cooperation within the international community, drawing a historical parallel to how nations united in the past to save Egypt's Abu Simbel temples from the threat of submersion. Furthermore, highlighting the Republic of Korea's historical experience of developing from a beneficiary of international cooperation to a contributing country, he will emphasize that Korea will continue to serve as a catalyst for cross-border cooperation and solidarity in the field of heritage.

Meanwhile, to commemorate the hosting of the Committee session in Busan, the Republic of Korea, KHS and UNESCO have officially published and distributed the World Heritage Magazine, which features stories of Korea's World Heritage, alongside a special edition of the World Heritage Map illustrating the locations of World Heritage sites globally. Both publications are available in three languages (Korean, English, and French). Further details can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre website.

* World Heritage Magazine: https://whc.unesco.org/en/review/

World Heritage Map: https://whc.unesco.org/en/wallmap/

To ensure that delegations from diverse nations experience a seamless stay and participation, 60 "World Heritage Navigators" have been deployed. This will provide a valuable opportunity for the selected undergraduate and graduate students, who emerged from a highly competitive selection process, to directly experience the frontlines of cultural diplomacy through international meetings and side events.

In tandem, the "K-Heritage House" (Korea Pavilion) will be operational from July 20 to 29 at BEXCO Exhibition Center 1. Various institutions will showcase the multifaceted charms of Korea’s national heritage—the very root of K-culture—through exhibitions, events, and performances. The K-Heritage House welcomes all domestic and international visitors attending BEXCO during the event period.

Throughout the 11-day journey of the Committee session, KHS plans to offer domestic and international visitors an immersive experience of Korea's beautiful heritage and traditional values through all five senses. KHS will also work closely with relevant agencies to ensure a safe and successful event until its closing on July 29.