S. Korea to showcase national heritage on sidelines of Busan UNESCO session

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South Korea is marking its first-ever hosting of a UNESCO World Heritage Committee session with a broad array of cultural events in the host city of Busan, including the sailing of a replica of a Joseon Dynasty diplomatic ship, the opening of a national pavilion, and public demonstrations by master artisans of traditional crafts. The events, organized by the Korea Heritage Service and related agencies, run alongside the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, which is taking place in Busan from July 19 to 29.

Coverage comparison

Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's leading wire service, provided comprehensive coverage of the various heritage-related initiatives surrounding the UNESCO session. Reports described the appointment of K-pop star G-Dragon as honorary ambassador, the operation of a large-scale heritage pavilion, the voyage of a replica ship, and the demonstration of endangered traditional crafts. The tone across the reports was largely informative and promotional, emphasizing the significance of South Korea's first-time hosting, the cultural value of the events, and the international engagement they are expected to generate.

Key claims

A replica of a ship used for diplomatic missions during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) will set sail along the country's southern coast to celebrate South Korea hosting its first UNESCO World Heritage Committee session, according to the National Research Institute of Maritime Heritage. The vessel will depart from the southwestern port city of Mokpo and sail east, stopping at Goheung, Yeosu, and Tongyeong before reaching Busan by the end of the month, with events planned at each port to promote awareness of the country's UNESCO-listed sites. The ship is a reconstruction of vessels used by the 'Joseon Tongsinsa' official diplomatic missions sent to Japan between 1607 and 1811, which played a role in fostering peace and cultural exchange between the two nations. Built over three years, the replica made its maiden voyage in 2018 and has since completed three trips to Japanese port cities, including Osaka. In Busan, it is scheduled to meet delegates and visitors to the international meeting on July 25-26.

The Korea Heritage Service said it will operate a 'Korea Pavilion' at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO), the venue for the session, alongside various side events across the city. The pavilion, attended by 35 institutions, spans an area equivalent to two football fields and features exhibitions, performances, and hands-on programs for delegates and visitors. Known as the 'K-Heritage House,' the pavilion introduces the country's UNESCO-listed assets and heritage administration policies through four themed zones, including an archive section, a living intangible heritage zone, a technology-driven heritage future section, and interactive spaces. The Korea and UNESCO section outlines the significance of World Heritage, while a Busan-themed gallery highlights the host city's role as a temporary capital during the Korean War. The exhibition also presents the country's documentary heritage in collaboration with the National Archives of Korea, displaying original records with digital installations.

Master traditional Korean hat-maker Park Chang-yeong demonstrated his craft at the 'K-Heritage House' in Busan, as part of the 'Living Heritage X ICH' showcase co-organized by the Korea Heritage Service and the Korea Heritage Agency. The 83-year-old artisan, seated on a raised platform designed to resemble a traditional workshop, showed visitors the intricate process of crafting 'gat' hats, the translucent black hats once worn by men of the Joseon Dynasty. Park, one of only four remaining masters of the craft, was joined by his 50-year-old son, Park Hyung-bak, the fifth-generation heir to the family business. The craft of gat-making is at risk of disappearing, despite a recent surge of attention after the hats were worn by the fictional boy group Saja Boys in the Netflix animation 'KPop Demon Hunters'.

The Korea Heritage Service also announced it will host a public showcase of various Korean traditional skills from July 20 to July 29 at the BEXCO convention center, titled 'Living Heritage X ICH.' Recognized masters will demonstrate skills including gat-making, embroidery, traditional sewing, mother-of-pearl inlay, wooden furniture making, headgear craftsmanship, wood carving, bow making, and metal engraving. Demonstrations run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day, with hands-on programs allowing visitors to craft miniature gats, hanbok-themed key rings, and other items.

K-pop star G-Dragon, whose real name is Kwon Ji-yong, has been appointed as the honorary ambassador for the 48th session by the Korea Heritage Service. The agency described G-Dragon as an artist with global influence extending beyond K-pop into the cultural and arts sphere, citing his role in promoting public-interest initiatives and addressing social issues through art. As part of his ambassadorial role, he will support a global campaign titled 'Heritage in Peace,' to be jointly launched by the JusPeace Foundation and UNESCO. The initiative aims to encourage participation from individuals, businesses, and cities in protecting World Heritage sites, with funds raised channeled into the World Heritage Fund to help safeguard sites threatened by armed conflicts, climate change, and natural disasters.