A series of nine Korean Confucian academies, or seowon, has recently been listed on the nation’s Tentative List of potential UNESCO World Heritage. The nine properties that the Cultural Heritage Administration submitted last December are considered the best preserved of its kind among the extant 637 academies throughout the country. The efforts for nominating the academic institutions started last April when a preparation committee was launched, in cooperation with the Presidential Council on Nation Branding. Korea Seowon Association and local provinces concerned have also played an important role in studying and researching the candidate sites in the registration process. A nation’s Tentative List is a preliminary roster for a property of significant value possibly to be listed on the World Heritage List in the future. Only the properties on the TL at least for one year are eligible for nomination, which requires substantial research and study for final inscription on the WH list. The nine academes included on the list are Sosu Seowon (in Yeongju), Namgye Seowon (in Hamyang), Oksan Seowon (in Gyeongju), Dosan Seowon (in Andong), Pilam Seowon (in Jangseong), Dodong Seowon (in Dalseong), Byeongsan Seowon (in Andong), Donam Seowon (in Nonsan), and Museong Seowon (in Jeongeup). They are all state cultural heritage designated as Historic Sites. Confucian academies were the key to private education of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), each of which has unique spatial composition and architectural style, particularly well-harmonized with its natural surroundings. The academies, once the central venue where intellectuals gathered and discussed social affairs, have served their original role ranging from memorial rituals, lecture to social education up to date. The institutions were also formerly the center for circulation and distribution of books and documents. With seowon included, the properties listed on Korea’s Tentative List totaled 14.