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Korean Neo-Confucian Academies Recommended for UNESCO World Heritage List
Writer
International Cooperation Division
Date
2019-05-31
Read
1366
The International Council on Monuments and Site (ICOMOS), a UNESCO advisory body, suggested "Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies" be listed for UNESCO World Heritage. The suggestion includes all nine properties that Korea has applied for. - Sosu Seowon (Yeongju) - Namgye Seowon (Hamyang) - Oksan Seowon (Gyeongju) - Dosan and Byeongsan Seowon (Andong) - Dodong Seowon (Daegu) - Pilam Seowon (Jangseong) - Museong Seowon (Jeongeup) - Donam Seowon (Nonsan) Seowon, the submitting property, refers to private Confucian academies in Korea established during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) to serve memorial rites for noted Confucian sages as well as to educate the youth of the dominant ideology. After its previous attempt, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) has made various efforts to strengthen the grounds for the inclusion of Seowon on the World Heritage list by referring to the advice of ICOMOS. A new application was drawn up and submitted to UNESCO in January last year. After an evaluation for nearly a year and a half from ICOMOS, Seowon has been recognized for its "Outstanding Universal Value" as the evidence of the widespread Neo-Confucianism during the Joseon Dynasty. CHA will make efforts to perform additional tasks suggested by ICOMOS to come up with conservation measures for the nine Seowon. The final decision will be made at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Azerbaijan, at the end of June. If the results are positive, Korea will have a total of 14 world heritage sites.
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