Taekwondo set for UNESCO listing through North Korea alone
UNESCO evaluation body recommends inscribing North Korea's taekwondo nomination; final decision due in December in Xiamen
Quick Look
- North Korea is expected to secure UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage inscription for taekwondo this year after the evaluation body recommended inscription.
- South Korea also filed its own nomination this year, and a joint inscription remains possible.
- The final decision is expected at the committee's 21st session in December in Xiamen, China.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
North Korea submitted its taekwondo nomination titled "Taekwon-Do, Traditional Martial Art in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" in March 2024. The UNESCO evaluation body recommends inscription, refer, or not inscribe, and such recommendations are rarely overturned. South Korea filed its own nomination this year after considering a joint inscription with the North.
North Korea is expected to secure inclusion of Korean martial art taekwondo on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list this year.
The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage's evaluation body has recommended Thursday that North Korea's nomination be inscribed on the list.
Huh Min, head of the Korea Heritage Service, had also hinted at the announcement on Monday in a post on his social media channel.
The committee, which makes the final decision on inscriptions, reviews nominations submitted by member states through an evaluation body composed of intangible heritage experts and representatives of nongovernmental organizations.
After examining each nomination, the evaluation body issues one of three recommendations: to "inscribe," to "refer" the nomination for additional information or to "not inscribe" it. Such recommendations are rarely overturned by the committee.
North Korea submitted its nomination, titled "Taekwon-Do, Traditional Martial Art in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," in March 2024.
South Korea filed its own nomination this year after considering the possibility of a joint inscription with the North. The Korea Heritage Service said in its major policy plans for this year that it would pursue a joint inscription of taekwondo by the two Koreas. A South Korean inclusion could still go ahead even if Pyongyang's listing is confirmed.
The final decision is expected at the committee's 21st session, scheduled for December in Xiamen, China.
What to Watch
AI outlook โ possibilities, not facts
The committee will inscribe North Korea's taekwondo nomination at the December session
Very likely ยท Within months
Open Questions
- Will the committee approve the recommendation at the December session?
- Will South Korea pursue a joint inscription with North Korea or proceed independently?
- What specific date in December will the 21st session take place?
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