Momentum Builds for the Introduction of World Heritage Impact Assessment

Cultural Heritage Administration Opens World Heritage Sustainability Center

A foundation has been established to introduce UNESCO World Heritage impact assessments in Korea. On the 7th, the Cultural Heritage Administration opened the World Heritage Sustainability Center at the Sejong Campus of the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage.

This organization scientifically investigates, predicts, and evaluates the impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage sites to reduce negative effects. It supports the establishment of World Heritage impact assessments, as well as technology development and expert training. Kang Kyunghwan, president of the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, stated, "We will spare no comprehensive support, including building cooperative systems with cultural heritage companies and institutions."

The UNESCO World Heritage Centre recommends heritage impact assessments to protect the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage sites from various potential developments. It establishes guidelines to achieve both protection and preservation of World Heritage and sustainable development, and provides criteria to judge the impacts of development activities.