[News Terms] From the 17th, 'Munhwajae' Replaced by 'Gukgayusan'

The Cultural Heritage Administration will be newly launched as the 'National Heritage Agency' on the 17th. In accordance with the 'National Heritage Basic Act' effective from that day, the organization will completely change its name and structure for the first time in about 25 years since it was reorganized as the Cultural Heritage Administration in 1999.

Since the enactment of the 'Cultural Heritage Protection Act' in 1962, the term '문화재 (文化財, Munhwajae)' has been widely used in legal and administrative terminology, but it will now disappear into history. Instead, the concept of 'heritage (遺産·heritage),' an international standard encompassing the past, present, and future, will be applied to change all existing names and classification systems. Since most countries currently use the concept of 'heritage' according to the 'Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage' established by UNESCO in 1972, South Korea is also establishing a national heritage system that meets international standards.

Accordingly, the term '문화재 (Munhwajae)' used in various laws will be changed to 'heritage.' The existing distinctions such as tangible cultural heritage, intangible cultural heritage, monuments, and folk cultural heritage will be replaced with terms like 'cultural heritage,' 'natural heritage,' and 'intangible heritage.' Cultural heritage will cover tangible cultural heritage such as national treasures and treasures, folk cultural heritage, and historic sites. Natural heritage will include natural monuments and scenic sites, while intangible heritage will encompass traditional arts, customs related to food, clothing, and shelter, and folk religious rituals.

The English name referring to the National Heritage Agency will also change. The previous name, 'Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA),' emphasized the preservation and management of cultural properties, but the new name has been decided as 'Korea Heritage Service (KHS).' The National Heritage Agency explains that it will focus on fostering 'K-Heritage,' emphasizing future value creation rather than preservation and regulation.

The National Heritage Agency has also completely reorganized its structure. Previously, the Cultural Heritage Administration operated a total of 1 bureau, 3 divisions, 19 sections, 2 teams, and 2 units (based on the headquarters organization) according to the nature of related tasks such as policy, preservation, and utilization. However, it has been reorganized into the 'Cultural Heritage Bureau,' 'Natural Heritage Bureau,' and 'Intangible Heritage Bureau' according to the changed heritage types. Additionally, a 'Heritage Policy Bureau' will be established to comprehensively handle safety and disaster prevention tasks, world heritage, overseas heritage, etc., and it will operate in the form of 1 bureau, 4 divisions, 24 sections, 1 unit, and 5 teams.