Jang Seob Yoon
Research expert covering South Korea
Cultural heritage in South Korea - statistics & facts
South Korea has a rich history spanning millennia. A large number of historically significant artifacts are found throughout the country, dating from various periods of the past. The Cultural Heritage Administration is a government agency tasked with promoting cultural heritage items in the country. One particular initiative is registering heritage items that are in danger of permanent damage or loss, which seeks to encourage a grassroots approach toward spreading awareness of the nation's historical remnants.
What kind of heritage items do South Korea have?
South Korea's efforts to preserve records of its history have proved fruitful. The nation's number of UNESCO heritage items has steadily grown over the years, having more than quadrupled compared to the beginning of the 2000s. UNESCO has different classifications of heritage items, which differ depending on the nature of its existence. For example, the category for historical monuments or artifacts with a physical form does not include intangible items such as cultural practices or tradition. The South Korean government also has an independent system of organizing the many antiquities originating from the country.How do folk villages contribute toward preserving South Korea's history?
Certain villages in South Korea have been able to preserve their historical features throughout the years. Eight of these villages are state-designated national folklore heritage sites and serve as attractive domestic tourism destinations. However, such locations are not empty ghost towns and remain inhabited by generations of families. As such, while everyone living there makes a conscious effort to conserve the place's history, they also take advantage of modern society's technology, such as tractors or rice cookers.
