Korea's nomination for 2025 has already been evaluated by ICOMOS! Plus additional evidence that Korea will be hosting the 2026 WHC!

"Seoul last year began a four-year term on the committee and is eyeing to host its annual meeting in 2026. It would be the first time for Seoul to host the meeting since 1977 when the meetings began. UNESCO has made that offer, according to the KHS, which noted that hosting the meeting would be a new milestone in the country's push for wider global recognition as a cultural powerhouse."

Inspection to add prehistoric carvings of Bangucheon to UNESCO list completed

https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240603050535

Both Korea's are particularly active at the moment with no less than 7 nominations scheduled between them. For the first time, there has also been some news about Unjusa making preparations (which should make Zoë happy). In addition, the DPRK is working on a new Tentative List, while South Korea will likely continue updating their own tentative list sporadically.

Could S. Korea reach 20 WHS by 2030? Perhaps a symbolic milestone. I think there is a sliver of a chance. I don't think Busan will have an easy path to inscription. Will the 'Capital Fortifications of Hanyang' go from not inscribe in 2017 (withdrawn) to inscribe in 2027 after expanding the scope of the nomination? I think Korea is really hoping to capitalize on the PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT to strengthen their nomination file, as it previously seemed ready for submission earlier. Bangucheon, Hoeamsa, and Unjusa probably have the greatest chance to earn favorable recommendations from ICOMOS.

Archaeological Remains at the Hoeamsa Temple Site in Yangju City (2029)

"If you are selected as a candidate for registration in 2025, you will submit a preliminary review application. If selected for supplementation work and registration application according to the results of the preliminary review in 2026-2027, a draft registration application form will be submitted. If the application for World Heritage registration is submitted in 2028 and progresses smoothly through the on-site investigation by the advisory body, it will be designated as a World Heritage site after passing the on-site inspection and panel meeting of the advisory body in 2029." - Article Summer 2023

I posted about this 2029 nomination here since it felt premature to create a new topic for a World Heritage Session 5 years down the road.

Local and regional stakeholders are working on making Unjusa a priority nomination, perhaps aiming for 2029 or 2030. Korea might have a pair of individual (Goryeo era) Buddhist temples as official nominations in a couple years (Hoeamsa Temple Site & Unjusa).

Based on a recent symposium (this June) held to support Unjusa toward a world heritage nomination, new scholarship is being revealed that provides an interesting twist to our understanding of Unjusa. Since I don't know all that was shared during the symposium, its difficult to determine how much this new scholarship is 'theory' or well-established through documentation and archeological evidence. Yet, it perhaps make sense and helps explain why Unjusa is just so different than all other temples in Korea. Meanwhile at the same time a similar academic conference was held to support the Hoeamsa Temple Site nomination as a world heritage site.

Quotes from various reports regarding Unjusa:

"In particular, Professor Seong-kwon Jeong's presentation on 'Religious and Ideological Background of Unju Temple' garnered positive response by suggesting that the stone and Buddha pagodas of Unju Temple contain cultural elements from the Liao Dynasty in China and that the group that built Unju Temple was created by Khitan refugees."

"At this event, Professor Seong-kwon Jeong of Dankook University gave a presentation on the topic of "Religious and Ideological Background of Unjusa Temple," which was a new content that had never been seen before. The stone and Buddha pagoda of Unjusa Temple had cultural elements from the Liao Dynasty in China, and the group that built Unjusa Temple was built by Khitan refugees."

https://www.dmilbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=475756

One question Korea will have to answer to ICOMOS regarding two NEW Buddhist nominations, do they offer something different regarding OUV? Moreover, much work is seemingly being done right now regarding the comparative analysis with other inscribed properties domestically and internationally.

Haeinsa Temple (inscribed in 1995)
Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple (inscribed in 1995)
Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries (inscribed in 2018)

Korea has been elected as a Vice-chairperson for the next WHC in Bulgaria, which was often (though not always) one indicator about which country may host the following year. However, with the previous report I think it likely Korea hosts the WHC in 2026.

Korea has the Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats (Extension) planned for 2026, which should be easily approved. Could Korea possibly submit the Capital Fortifications of Hanyang nomination earlier than reports indicated, especially since a preliminary assessment was completed in 2023? Korea might wait a year on the extension to work on getting additional components included and to persuade skeptical communities, particularly those around Ganghwa Island. That so-called 'gift' inscription for the host country could be useful for Hanyangdoseong, which previously failed to impress ICOMOS, though the nomination has greatly expanded and re-worked since 2016.

"In addition, our country has been elected as the Vice-Chairman of the 47th World Heritage Committee to be held in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2025, and plans to actively participate in the preparations for the next committee." - Article August 2024

Additional Nominations that may be evaluated / considered for inclusion (in some cases for the 2nd or 3rd time):
1 Ganghwa Anglican Hanok Church
2 Ancient Polities of the Yeongsan River Basin
3 Placenta Chambers of the Joseon Dynasty
4 Goryeo Celadon Sites (expanded nomination - replacing Gangjin Kiln Sites)
5 Dolmen Extension (Paju, Jangheung, Goheung)
6 Hwaeomsa Temple - the central temple of Hwaeom Buddhism in Goryeo

Ganghwa Anglican Hanok Church - Former Candidate for Korea's 2011 Tentative List.

"Father Lee Gyeong-rae, the priest in charge, explained, "The reason for building it as a Hanok was technical, as it was difficult to find engineers who had experience building Gothic cathedrals at the time, and political and missionary reasons for the localization strategy of Joseon. For Joseon people who were familiar with temples, Indian bodhi trees were planted, and they are still preserved as they are today. This place, a nationally designated cultural property, is being prepared to be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site." - Article 2023

Ancient Polities of the Yeongsan River Basin - Former candidate for the Korean Tentative List in 2011 and has been put forward by experts for consideration for inclusion on a future tentative list. The primary value here is the keyhole-shaped tombs, which originate from a group of Japanese refugees / exiles who co-existed with the indigenous Mahan Culture.

"Keynote speaker Noh Jung-guk, Professor Emeritus of Kyemyung University, presented the 'Strategy for the World Heritage Registration of the Yeongsan River Ancient Cultural Heritage' and explained the possibility of designating the Yeongsan River Basin Urn Tombs as a World Heritage Site, following the national historic site registration." - Article 2024

Placenta Chambers of the Joseon Dynasty - Candidature rejected for inclusion in 2018 and 2020, but work continues to officially be included on Korea's Tentative List. Plenty of press and tv reporting in 2023 and 2024 indicating further efforts to this end.

The world's only 'Taesil' culture passed down from the Three Kingdoms period... Will it become a world heritage site? / SBS (Video 2024)

"If Taesil, which is related to birth, becomes a World Heritage Site, Korea will probably be the first country in the world that can explain the life of a king and a dynasty from beginning to end as a World Heritage Site. Unlike palaces and Jongmyo Shrines, Taesils are located all over the country, so if they become a World Heritage Site, the public interest is expected to increase. Just as it took 10 years for the Gaya tumuli to be registered as a World Heritage Site, there is an urgent need to make efforts to vitalize burial chamber research with a long-term blueprint." - SBS News

Goryeo Celadon Sites - Rejected candidature of Buan Celadon sites in 2020, yet the Korean Heritage Service indicated potential for an expanded nomination including Gangjin, Buan, and Haenam sites. The Gangjin Kiln sites have been on the Korean Tentative List since 1994.

"We will listen to more opinions from experts and do our best to prepare so that the UNESCO World Heritage registration of Korea's Goryeo Celadon Kilns, which has been promoted since 2020, can be successful." - Article 2023

Dolmen Extension (Paju, Jangheung, Goheung) - Goheung's Cluster previously expressed interest in re-registration via local government to be added to Korea's Tentative List.

Paju Cluster - "Considering the distribution status and current state of dolmens in the Paju area, it has the largest concentration of dolmens north of the Han River and should rightfully be included in the category of World Cultural Heritage sites. To this end, the director emphasized, We must urgently conduct a comprehensive survey of dolmen sites, establish preservation measures, and promote cultural heritage designation, starting now." - Article 2023

Jangheung Cluster - "However, since three dolmens in Korea were already registered in 2000, it could be quite easy to add the Jangheung dolmen and the North Korean dolmen to the World Heritage List. ... It is very unfortunate that Jangheung-gun, the capital of dolmens, was not registered as a World Heritage Site. However, during the 10th World Dolmen Festival in 2007, world-renowned scholars toured the dolmens in Jangheung and unanimously agreed to register them as a World Heritage Site, so it is certain that the Jangheung dolmens will be registered as a World Heritage Site within a few years, and I have been taking the lead in making efforts to make this happen." - Article 2018

Hwaeomsa Temple - the central temple of Hwaeom Buddhism in Goryeo - ICOMOS was confused why this temple was not selected in the 'Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea' nomination. Korean experts shared that Hwaeomsa met 3 of their 4 criteria for the serial property of representative mountain monasteries. Nevertheless, Hwaeomsa alone is one of the most important temples in all Korea. Hwaeomsa was a former candidate for the Korean Tentative List in 2006, 2011, and has been put forward by experts for consideration for inclusion on a future tentative list.

"For example, why have temples such as Hwaeomsa (amongst others) been omitted? In terms of their historical significance, some components seem relatively weakly justified (such as Bongjeongsa, Magoksa, and Seonamsa)." - Supplemental Information Request from Korea by ICOMOS

This article explains one reason why some historic temples were left out of the Sansa nomination. I agree with Sudeoksa, but Hwaomsa still maintains a historic core zone that is filled with treasures unparalleled in Korea (which ICOMOS seemed to recognize). "Why Sudeoksa Temple and Hwaeomsa Temple were not listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites" - Article 2023

Rejected Nominations (2006 to 2023) Submitted for Evaluation to the Korean Heritage Service (KHS) *Formerly CHA

- Jindo Sea Road (2006)
- Ganghwa Mudflat (2006)
- Temples in the Jiri Mountain Area (2006)
- Cheorwon Area (2006)
- Ulleung-do (2006)
- Yongsan Garrison (2006)
- Mudeungsan Columnar Joints (2006 and 2011)
- Ancient Tombs in Naju (2011)
- Jeju Island's Pacific War-related heritage (2011)
- Military Heritage of Jinhae Naval Base (2011)
- Korean Anglican Hanok Church (2011)
- Korean Catholic Architecture and Persecution-related Heritage (2011)
- Bogildo Buyong-dong Garden (2011)
- Yeongnam-daero (2011)
- Jirisan Historical and Religious Landscape (2011)
- Stones Pagodas of Korea (2011)
- Prehistoric Sites in Korea (2011)
- DMZ (2011)
- Seoul Munmyo Shrine and local Confucian Schools (2011)
- Damyang Nujeongjeyeong Garden (2011)
- Sorok-do (2011)
- Ganghwa Maritime Fortifications (2011 and 2016)
- Goryeo Ruins of Namhan River Basin Temples (2016 and 2020)
- Gimje Byeokgolje (2018)
- Seongju Royal Placenta Chambers (2018 and 2020)
- Catholic Relics in the Naepo Area of South Chungcheong Province (2020)
- Buan Goryeo Celadon Kilns (2020)
- Wando Cheongsando Terraced Landscape (2022)
- Jeongjo Cultural Heritage: Hwaseong New Town (2023)

Aspiring nomination in BOLD remain active based on current reports or the recommendations in a thorough Korean ICOMOS Report in 2021, suggesting an official new tentative list. Some nominations having failed once or twice, will at least seek another nomination to be evaluated by the KHS. Much effort is being made to convince Ganghwa residents to allow the 'Ganghwa Mudflat' to be included in the Phase II Getbol nomination for 2026 (time is running out), success in this regard seems slim. Ulleung-do, the Yongsan Garrison, and Mudeungsan are all suggested nominations from Korean ICOMOS. The formerly named 'Ancient Tombs in Naju' is now a larger aspiring nomination titled 'Ancient Polities of the Yeongsan River Basin (Maham Culture)', which seems destined to try a second time. As reported in the post above, there is new support in the Ganghwa community to try again with their 'Anglican Hanok Church'. The 2 previously rejected gardens are suggested components of a broader nomination called 'Landscape Korean Garden (Nujeong Culture)' recommended by Korean ICOMOS. Additionally, Korean ICOMOS also recommends Sungkyunkwan / Munmyo and Sorok-do to continue their pursuits for a well-developed nomination file. In regards to 'Seongju Royal Placenta Chambers', there are some committed stakeholders working to try again for a 3rd time! The last active nomination is the 'Buan Goryeo Celadon Kilns', which the KHS recommended would only potentially demonstrate OUV in relation to the Gangjin/Haenam current Tentative nomination from 1994.

Having read many of the KHS reports on rejected nominations, sometimes the language is direct and not very encouraging. For example, there was plenty of skepticism regarding the 'Jeongjo Cultural Heritage: Hwaseong New Town' and the 'Goryeo Ruins of Namhan River Basin Temples' aspiring nominations. So much so, that perhaps neither will try again. Other feedback is encouraging, but addresses serious weaknesses, for example with the 'Catholic Relics in the Naepo Area of South Chungcheong Province', the KHS evaluators were not convinced a nomination centered only on South Chungcheong Province made sense. The KHS gave plenty of recommendations to the 'Ganghwa Maritime Fortifications' and almost all of them were followed and then suddenly politics shifted and some local leaders no longer wished to pursue a nomination (as previously discussed here).

Since the 2010-2011 major update to Korea's Tentative List, only 5 candidates have become official and remain on the tentative list. 'Hoeamsa Temple Site' was rejected before it was approved and 'Hanyangdoseong' has been in continuous change / development based on KHS evaluation(s) since its rejection by the WHC in 2017. For the 'Busan Wartime Capital' nomination, some of you may recall I posted about this site since 2016-2017 and it only became official nearly 7 years later! The KHS refused to officially approve it until their final recommendations were followed. What I think this represents as far as Korea is concerned, it has become much more rigorous in approving aspiring candidates. Even sites recommended by Korean ICOMOS, such as the 'Jeongjo Cultural Heritage' serial nomination was strongly rejected because the submission lacked a compelling comparative analysis, appropriate buffer zones, far too focused on the 'filial piety of one person', poor justification for the non-inscribed sites and how they add to the value of Hwaseong and the Joseon Royal Tombs. The KHS that makes their evaluation typically includes 8 individuals and most decisions seem unanimous rejection or approval.

Most Recent Additions to Korea's Tentative List (not including inscribed properites)
- Stone Buddhas and Pagodas at Hwasun Unjusa Temple (2017)
- Archaeological Remains at the Hoeamsa Temple Site in Yangju City (2022)
- Capital Fortifications of Hanyang (updated 2023)
- Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats [Extension] (2023)
- Sites of the Busan Wartime Capital (2023)

Like so many other countries, it seems that they are scraping the bottom of the barrel, winterkjm

Yes, I think the KHS is pragmatic in their approach, clearly recognizing many of these sites do not have a realistic chance in demonstrating OUV. Moreover, as a small nation, Korea has relatively few natural or mixed candidates. I think the KHS would much rather reject dozens of properties early on in the process than allow a tentative nomination that would likely receive not inscribe or at best deferral from ICOMOS on its first attempt. In the Korean ICOMOS 2021 publication for a new tentative list, it was expressed that potential candidates would more likely than not be serial nominations. Moreover, pursuing any more nominations in which the primary OUV is inherently linked to the Joseon period is warned against generally, because of how well-represented that period is on the World Heritage List.

As far as 'scraping the bottom of the barrel' . . . I believe Korea has one last decent size Tentative List update, with updates following sporadically in the years to come. Solivagant's perspective below (shared some years ago) is accurate in my view and especially so with aspiring candidate nominations (see above). Korea's future nominations are likely to be even more 'niche'. This is perfectly exemplified by the 'Royal Placenta Chambers' aspiring candidate which the KHS keeps rejecting, you cannot get any more niche than that, but granted this is uniquely Korean. This does not mean they are not worthy, interesting, or special. Yet, one must admit at a certain point in time each country may have reached or is fast approaching their summation of World Heritage properties that contribute to the List.

What app can I use to look up bus and rail connections for South Korea?

In the mix:
* Google Maps
* Naver Maps
* Kakao Maps

The latter two require knowing the Korean name. I would prefer google maps (as it works in English), at least when preparing my trip. Supposedly Naver is better, however, the Haeinsa direct bus is only on google maps, not on Naver... What gives?

I find this highly confusing.

Will try it out for you in 2 weeks, nfmungard. From what I have read so far, the Korean apps are better for navigating on foot or by car, as they have access to more detailed maps. Google Maps hasn't, but it is improving and is good for public transport options (although no real-time schedules).

I will just download them all, plus Maps.me. Rome2Rio seems hopeful as well.

Els, have you decided which getbol, sansa, and tumuli components you plan to visit in September? Any priority tentative sites you aim to see?

I am doing Busan Wartime Capital TWHS - Gimhae Tumulus WHS - Petroglyphs of Bangudae Valley TWHS - Tongdosa WHS - Suncheon Getbol WHS.
Locations are mostly selected for convenience (accessible on public transport, not too many days in the country). I may do Naganeupseong TWHS as well but I am a bit pressed for time (will stay 5 days and then fly on to Japan which will be the main course of this trip with 4 weeks).

Dear Els, at Busan try to eat milmyeon noodle, to appreciate Busan Wartime culinary heritage :D, if I recalled correctly at Temporary Presidential Residence they even have one section in the museum dedicate to this dish.

Will try!

Have a great trip Els! Looking forward to hearing about Busan's Ami-dong Tombstone Culture Village (located nearly adjacent to Gamcheon Culture Village - good for small cafe's), both are accessible by public transportation. For the Petroglyphs of Bangudae Valley, perhaps you will see both sites (time permitting) including the Cheonjeon-ri Petroglyphs (both are similar walking distances) which so far have not been highlighted in the reviews, though its potentially more rewarding for photographs since you are right next to it. Clyde highlighted the Sansa near Suncheon, Seonamsa which may be possible to include in your itinerary alongside Naganeupseong Village.

Hopefully Korea and Japan have cooled a bit from their peak Summer temperatures!


The Daeseong-dong Tomb Museum is temporarily closed for construction until September 2nd. However, the exhibition hall can still be visited during the construction period. Not sure if you would be in Busan before September 2nd, but any time afterwards should be fine.