Suwon mayor calls Hwaseong Fortress 'outstanding model' for world heritage

Suwon city hosted an overseas youth world heritage expert tour program on Wednesday.

The tour drew about 40 attendees, including Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun, Ines Jusipovic, a project officer at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and Seo Hyeon-suk, head of the intellectual solidarity division at the Korean National Commission for UNESCO.

The 32 overseas young professionals who took part were selected through a competitive application process run by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris, beating a field of 1,733 applicants per spot as rising figures in the global heritage field.

Participants toured the fortress walls of Hwaseong and Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, and rode the Hwaseong royal carriage to experience the history and culture of the Joseon Dynasty. They also took part in a range of traditional Korean cultural activities, including traditional refreshments, a theatrical performance by local resident actors and a traditional music concert.

The event also provided a forum for open exchange. Mayor Lee said Hwaseong, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is "an outstanding model that has continued to develop alongside the local community."

Meanwhile, Suwon city will run a special overnight tour program from July 29 to 30 for heritage experts attending the UNESCO World Heritage Committee session opening at BEXCO in Busan on Sunday. Pre-registration is required.