How are important intangible cultural properties designated?

• Among intangible properties such as music, dance, plays, games and rituals, martial arts, crafts, and dishes, those considered important enough to need preservation are designated as important intangible cultural properties, subject to deliberation by the Cultural Heritage Committee. In addition, when important intangible cultural properties are designated, a person or an organization that has such skills and artistic talents shall be recognized as a holder or a holding organization.
  
• When a person has acquired the original state of the skills or artistic talents and is able to present a demonstration of them, he/she will be recognized as a holder. In contrast, for any item that, by its nature, should be demonstrated by a group of people not by a person as in nongak (a farmers’ music) or talchum (a mask dance), a group will be recognized as a holding organization. 
  
• A person or an organization can be recognized as a holder or a holding organization after at least three members or expert members of the relevant Cultural Heritage Committee have carried out an investigation and the Committee has deliberated its results.

• How can a holder be recognized?

• An applicant should file an application to the governing Si/Do with documentation evidencing his/her personal information, experiences in activities aiming at passing on intangible properties to the next generation, and other materials describing the skills and artistic talents for the item applied. After the governing Si/Do has investigated and reviewed the item, the governor of the governing Si/Do, if necessary, recommends the Administrator of the CHA to approve the candidate as a holder of the important intangible cultural property. 
  
• The CHA, if necessary, performs an investigation required for recognizing a holder and makes a final decision through a deliberation of the Cultural Heritage Committee. 
  

• How is a Teaching Assistant for an Intangible Cultural Property selected?

• 
  To become a Teaching Assistant for an Intangible Cultural Property (hereinafter referred as an “Assistant”), he/she first should be recommended by a holder of the relevant important intangible cultural property.
• A holder can recommend, among those completing the required course for the relevant arts and skills and reached a certain level of competence, a person who has the capabilities and will to pass on the intangible cultural property to the next generation and is able to assist the holder in his/her teaching activities as an Assistant.
  
• Once a recommendation has been made by a holder, a comprehensive evaluation is carried out by the experts in the relevant field for the candidate’s experience in activities to pass on the intangible cultural property to the next generation, skills and qualities as a potential successor; and a deliberation is held at the Cultural Heritage Committee meeting; and then the candidate is selected as an Assistant.