UNESCO

• Overview

  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (hereinafter referred to as “UNESCO”) was founded on November 16, 1945 as a specialized agency of the United Nations. UNESCO contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in the fields of education, sciences, culture, communication and information. It plays a role in establishing global norm, knowledge and information sharing, and promotion of international cooperation. As of 2024, UNESCO has 194 Member States and 12 Associate Members.

• Purposes and Functions

  • Purposes
    • Promote international cooperation through education, science and culture
    • Improve general respect for justice, rules of law, human rights as well as fundamental freedoms
    • Contribute to peace and security
  • Functions
    • (Laboratory of Ideas) Foster the free flow of ideas in support of the adoption of strategies and policies related to main issues of the future
    • (Standard-Setter) Identify main ethical, normative, intellectual issues and establish regulations
    • (Clearing House) Collect and distribute information, knowledge, and precedents; construct and test innovative projects
    • (Capacity-builder in Member States) Reinforce intellectual and institutional capability of Member States
    • (Catalyst for international cooperation) Play a catalyst role for cooperation and development

• ROK-UNESCO Relationship

  • History
    • The Republic of Korea joined UNESCO on June 14, 1950.
    • The Korean National Commission for UNESCO was established on January 30, 1954.
    • “Act on UNESCO Activities” was legislated and proclaimed on April 27, 1963.
  • Korea’s Participation in UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Governing Bodies
    • Executive Council of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC, 2023-2025)
    • Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin of its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation (ICPRCP, 2021-2025)
    • Intergovernmental Council of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP, 2021-2025)
    • Intergovernmental Council of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC, 2021-2025)
    • Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2020-2024)
    • Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2023-2027)
    • Executive Board (2023-2027)
    • World Heritage Committee (2023-2027)
    • International Coordinating Council of the Programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB-ICC, 2023-2027)
    • Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee (IGBC, 2023-2027)

• ROK’s Inscriptions and its activities in the UNESCO

  • Inscriptions on World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites: 16
    • Gaya Tumuli (2023)
    • Getbol, Korean Tidal Flat (2021)
    • Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies (2019)
    • Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea (2018)
    • Baekje Historic Areas (2015)
    • Namhansanseong (2014)
    • Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong (2010)
    • Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty (2009)
    • Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes (2007)
    • Gochang, Hwasun, and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites (2000)
    • Gyeongju Historic Areas (2000)
    • Hwaseong Fortress (1997)
    • Changdeokgung Palace Complex (1997)
    • Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks (1995)
    • Jongmyo Shrine (1995)
    • Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple (1995)
  • Inscriptions on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: 22
    • Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea (2022)
    • Yeondeunghoe, lantern lighting festival in the Republic of Korea (2020)
    • Traditional Korean Wrestling (SSirum/SSireum) (2018)
    • Culture of Jeju Haenyeo (women divers) (2016)
    • Tugging rituals and games (2015)
    • Nongak, community band music, dance and rituals in the Republic of Korea (2014)
    • Kimjang, making and sharing kimchi in the Republic of Korea (2013)
    • Arirang, lyrical folk song in the Republic of Korea (2012)
    • Weaving of Mosi (fine ramie) in the Hansan region (2011)
    • Taekkyeon, a traditional Korean martial art (2011)
    • Jultagi, tightrope walking (2011)
    • Falconry, a living human heritage (2010)
    • Daemokjang, traditional wooden architecture (2010)
    • Gagok, lyric song cycles accompanied by an orchestra (2010)
    • Cheoyongmu (2009)
    • Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut (2009)
    • Yeongsanjae (2009)
    • Namsadang Nori (2009)
    • Ganggangsullae (2009)
    • Gangneung Danoje Festival (2005)
    • Pansori Epic Chant (2003)
    • Royal Ancestral Ritual in the Jongmyo Shrine and its Music (2001)
  • Inscriptions on the Memory of the World Register: 18
    • Archives of the April 19 Revolution (2023)
    • Archives of the Donghak Peasant Revolution (2023)
    • Documents on Joseon Tongsinsa/Chosen Tsushinshi: The History of Peace Building and Cultural Exchanges between Korea and Japan from the 17th to 19th Century (2017)
    • Archives of the National Debt Redemption Movement (2017)
    • Royal Seal and Investiture Book Collection of the Joseon Dynasty (2017)
    • The Archives of the KBS Special Live Broadcast “Finding Dispersed Families” (2015)
    • Confucian Printing Woodblocks (2015)
    • Archives of Saemaul Undong (New Community Movement) (2013)
    • Nanjung Ilgi: War Diary of Admiral Yi sun-sin (2013)
    • Human Rights Documentary Heritage 1980 Archives for the May 18th Democratic Uprising against Military Regime, in Gwangju, Republic of Korea (2011)
    • Ilseongnok: Records of Daily Reflections (2011)
    • Donguibogam: Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine (2009)
    • Printing woodblocks of the Tripitaka Koreana and miscellaneous Buddhist scriptures (2007)
    • Uigwe: The Royal Protocols of the Joseon Dynasty (2007)
    • Seungjeongwon Ilgi, the Diaries of the Royal Secretariat (2001)
    • Baegun hwasang chorok buljo jikji simche yojeol (vol.II), the second volume of “Anthology of Great Buddhist Priests’ Zen Teachings” (2001)
    • The Annals of the Choson Dynasty (1997)
    • Hunmin Chongum Manuscript (1997)
  • Designations of the MAB Biosphere Reserve: 9
    • Wando Archipelago (2021)
    • Yeoncheon Imjin River (2019)
    • Gangwon Eco-Peace (2019)
    • Suncheon (2018)
    • Gochang (2013)
    • Gwangneung Forest (2010)
    • Shinan Dadohae (2009)
    • Jeju Island (2002)
    • Mount Sorak (1982)
  • Global Geoparks: 5
    • Jeonbuk West Coast Geopark (2023)
    • Hantangang Geopark (2020)
    • Mudeungsan Geopark (2018)
    • Cheongsong Geopark (2017)
    • Jeju Island Geopark (2010)
  • Cities appointed to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network: 12
    • Gangneung: Gastronomy (2023)
    • Gimhae: Crafts and Folk Art (2021)
    • Wonju: Literature (2019)
    • Jinju: Crafts and Folk Art (2019)
    • Daegu: Music (2017)
    • Bucheon: Literature (2017)
    • Tongyeong: Music (2015)
    • Gwangju: Media Arts (2014)
    • Busan: Film (2014)
    • Jeonju: Gastronomy (2012)
    • Seoul: Design (2010)
    • Icheon: Crafts and Folk Art (2010)