The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (Director General Lim Jong-deock; hereafter, NRICH) will receive applications for the International Cooperation Program on Conservation (hereafter, ICPC*) from March 4 to April 17 through the NRICH website**. This year marks the inaugural launch of ICPC as a global program, expanding the former ACPCS*** capacity-building initiative, which has been implemented primarily for Asian countries since 2005. The transition is particularly meaningful as it represents a new chapter in international cooperation for cultural heritage conservation.

*ICPC: International Cooperation Program on Conservation

**NRICH website: https://www.nrich.go.kr/ichc

***ACPCS : Asia Cooperation Program on Conservation Science

This ICPC is open to applicants in NRICH’s principal areas of expertise, including archaeology, art, architecture, safety and disaster prevention, conservation science, and digital heritage. Approximately five trainees will be selected in early May and will subsequently participate in the training program, along with the necessary program-related support. The selected trainees will participate in research activities under the Mentor–Mentee System* from August 3 to October 1 for a 60-day period. The program holds great significance aimed at strengthening international collaboration among cultural heritage conservation professionals and fostering a global conservation network centered on K-Heritage.

*Mentor–Mentee System: Mentors will be assigned based on each trainee’s individual research topic, combining theoretical instruction with practical training.

Over the past 20 years, the NRICH has implemented ACPCS, through which it has trained 120 participants from 19 Asian countries, establishing the program as Korea’s longest-running international capacity-building initiative in the field of cultural heritage conservation. At the ACPCS 20th anniversary ceremony held last year, Director General Lim Jong-deock announced NRICH’s mid- and long-term vision for international exchange: “To enhance the value of K-Heritage and contribute to the international community by diversifying international cooperation” The ICPC represents the first step in realizing this vision. Through ICPC, experts from a wide range of countries, including Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), are expected to participate, directly experience Korea’s cultural heritage, and further strengthen their conservation capabilities. The program is anticipated to provide a meaningful opportunity for participants to integrate K-Heritage technologies and values into their respective cultural heritage contexts. Moving forward, the NRICH will progressively expand the number of ICPC participants and the duration of the training program. In addition, it will further enhance its international training initiatives, including CollAsia**, jointly implemented with ICCROM*, and OTTP***, in order to strengthen global cooperation frameworks extending beyond Asia. Through these efforts, the NRICH aims to reinforce its role as a leading institution contributing to the preservation of world heritage, with K-Heritage at its core.

*ICCROM: International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property

** CollAsia: Conservation and Use of Southeast Asian Collections

*** OPPT: On-site Technical Training Program