"Doenjang, Ganjang, Gochujang Form the Foundation of Korean Diet"
Final Registration Decision in Paraguay in December
South Korea's 'Jang Making Culture' has received a recommendation for inscription from the UNESCO Intangible Heritage Committee.
Korea's 'Jang Making Culture' has received a 'recommendation for inscription' from the UNESCO Intangible Heritage Committee. [Photo by National Heritage Administration]
On the 5th, the Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "With South Korea's 'Jang Making Culture' receiving a recommendation for inscription this time, it is expected to have a positive impact on the final decision at the 19th Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, to be held in Asuncion, Paraguay, from December 2 to 7."
Jang refers to fermented sauces such as doenjang, ganjang, and gochujang, which form the foundation of Korean dietary life. Jang making involves the entire process of preparing soybeans and other ingredients, fermentation, aging, and securing suitable conditions for storage, as well as making, preserving, and consuming the sauces.
Jang has held a significant place in the daily food of Koreans. Due to its individuality, it also symbolizes the history and tradition of a household.
Jang making, passed down through generations based on family, functions to strengthen family bonds by sharing the taste of home-cooked food as family members eat together.
This application includes all the knowledge and techniques involved in making, managing, and utilizing jang, the basic seasoning of Korean cuisine.
Currently, South Korea holds 22 items of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. If 'Jang Making Culture' is finally inscribed, the total will increase to 23 items.
In this evaluation, North Korea's 'Joseon Clothing Customs' also received a recommendation for inscription. North Korea currently has 'Arirang' (2014), 'Kimchi Making' (2015), 'Ssireum' (2018, jointly inscribed by South and North Korea), and 'Pyongyang Naengmyeon' (2022) inscribed. If 'Joseon Clothing Customs' is inscribed, North Korea will hold a total of five items of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The final review and inscription will be decided at the 19th Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Asuncion, Paraguay, in December.
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