Busan explores path to UNESCO World Heritage listing for its cultural assets

Busan city announced Tuesday that it will hold an academic conference on Busan history under the theme "Busan's Cultural Heritage Reborn as World Heritage" at BEXCO Exhibition Hall 2 on the afternoon of July 24.

The conference was organized to mark the hosting of the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, with the aim of academically examining the value of the city's cultural heritage and exploring strategies for pursuing UNESCO World Heritage listing. Scholars and cultural heritage experts are expected to discuss the heritage value of Busan's cultural assets, strategies for achieving World Heritage status, and ways to promote the city's identity as a historic and cultural hub both at home and abroad.

The conference will open with a ceremony, followed by a keynote address, three thematic presentations and a general discussion. In the keynote, Park Eun-kyung, a professor at Dong-A University, will present on "Busan's Cultural Heritage, a Challenge Toward UNESCO: New Connections and Expanding Value," outlining the significance of Busan's heritage and strategies for securing World Heritage designation.

The thematic presentations will feature Jeon Ju-hee, a professor at Dong-A University, speaking on the potential for converting Busan's intangible heritage — focusing on the Donghae coast Ogu gut ritual — into UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; Son Suk-kyung, a professor at Busan Catholic University, addressing the World Heritage value of local documentary heritage and the prospects for listing the Dongnaegiyeonghoe records on the UNESCO Memory of the World register; and Ha Su-jin, a professor at Pusan National University, examining the process and limitations of nominating Busan's natural heritage for World Heritage status.

The general discussion will be moderated by Kim Dong-cheol, a professor at Pusan National University, with participation from Kim Gwang-hee, a director at the Korea Heritage Promotion Agency; Jeong Je-gyu, a specialist committee member at the Cultural Heritage Administration; and Kim Sun-gi, a professor at Suncheon National University. Following the discussion, participants will conduct a comprehensive review covering the prospects for listing Busan's cultural heritage as World Heritage, the policy and academic challenges involved, and sustainable approaches to preservation and utilization.