The Nomination File “Traditional Knowledge and Skills Associated with the Production of Hanji and Related Cultural Practices in the Republic of Korea,” Submitted for the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage(ICH) of Humanity

 - The decision will be made at the 21st session of the Inter-Governmental Committee for the safeguarding of the ICH, which will be held in 2026

The Cultural Heritage Administration (Administrator Choi, Eung-chon), submitted the nomination file to UNESCO Headquarters for the inscription of “Traditional knowledge and skills associated with the production of Hanji (traditional Korean paper) and related cultural practices in the Republic of Korea” on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Following its submission to UNESCO on March 31st, “Traditional knowledge and skills associated with the production of Hanji and related cultural practices in the Republic of Korea” will undergo an evaluation procedure. The nomination will be reviewed by the UNESCO Secretariat and evaluated by the Evaluation Body. The final decision on the inscription will be made in December 2026 at the 21st session of the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Hanji, which is made from the bark of paper mulberry trees, has been produced for a thousand years using the meticulous handcrafting skills of Hanji masters and passed down through generations. The production of Hanji, is a collaborative endeavor that involves masters’ skills and knowledge and local communities’ traditional labor-sharing scheme known as pumasi from harvesting to processing the paper mulberry bark. Today, Hanji’s legacy extends far beyond its traditional usage as a writing surface. It plays a vital role in the safeguarding and sustainable development of intangible cultural heritage, expanding its use in everything from eco-friendly building materials to household products and artistic activities.

Groups and individuals concerned with Hanji Production have actively participated in the preparation of the nomination. They include ▲State-designated masters: Hong Chun-su(Imsil, Jeonbuk), Kim Sam-sik(Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk), Shin Hyun-sae(Uiryeong, Gyeongnam), An Chi-yong(Goesan, Chungbuk); ▲Province-designated masters: Kim Il-su(Imsil, Jeonbuk), Lee Sang-ok(Hamyang, Gyeongnam), Jang Sung-woo(Gapyeong, Gyeonggi), Jang Eung-yeol(Wonju, Gangwon); and ▲Hanji Revitalization Foundation, etc.

The Cultural Heritage Administration is committed to collaborating with relevant parties including Hanji masters and its related groups to achieve the inscription of “Traditional knowledge and skills associated with the production of Hanji and related cultural practices in the Republic of Korea” on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.