Comprehensive Nomination of Hanyangdoseong, Bukhansanseong, and Tangchundaeseong
Positive Preliminary Evaluation from International Council on Monuments and Sites
"High Possibility of Meeting Outstanding Universal Value Criteria"
The 'Capital Fortifications of Hanyang,' encompassing Hanyangdoseong, Bukhansanseong, and Tangchundaeseong, has taken a step closer to becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site.
On the 26th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that it recently received the preliminary assessment results from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory body of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The preliminary assessment is a discussion process between ICOMOS and the applicant country during the early stages of preparing a nomination. It was introduced by UNESCO in 2021.
In September last year, the Cultural Heritage Administration submitted the preliminary assessment application for the 'Capital Fortifications of Hanyang' to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. After reviewing the documents for about a year, ICOMOS judged that it is highly likely to meet the criteria of Outstanding Universal Value. Furthermore, it determined that the requirements for authenticity and integrity could be fulfilled.
A representative from the Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "Along with the positive evaluation, they recommended additional comparative research and the establishment of measures to strengthen the protection and management system of the heritage." They added, "We plan to systematically proceed with domestic and international procedures, including reflecting the recommendations and selecting the nomination target, in cooperation with the relevant local governments (Seoul Metropolitan City, Gyeonggi Province, Goyang City)."
To apply for World Heritage inscription, four stages of domestic review must be passed: tentative list, priority nomination list, nomination candidate, and nomination target. The Capital Fortifications of Hanyang was listed on the priority nomination list in December 2022.
This stage selects well-prepared heritage from the tentative list. It means that all requirements such as the nomination promotion system, research team composition, research results meeting the nomination criteria, and conservation management plans have been fulfilled.
Initially, the related local governments pursued the World Heritage inscription of Hanyangdoseong and Bukhansanseong separately. However, although Hanyangdoseong was listed on the tentative list in 2012, its nomination was withdrawn after being judged 'not eligible for inscription' during the advisory body review in 2017. Bukhansanseong was also rejected during the tentative list review by the Cultural Heritage Committee in 2018.
Accordingly, the three local governments changed direction to jointly promote the World Heritage inscription by combining Hanyangdoseong, Bukhansanseong, and Tangchundaeseong, following the recommendation of the Cultural Heritage Administration. They decided to emphasize the value of the fortress complex completed in the 18th century as the defense fortifications of the Joseon capital by connecting Hanyangdoseong, its hinterland Bukhansanseong, and Tangchundaeseong linking the two. As a result, they achieved the outcome of being selected for the priority nomination list within two years of promotion.
Once it becomes the final nomination target, the Cultural Heritage Administration will submit the nomination dossier to UNESCO. For about a year, ICOMOS will evaluate various values through on-site inspections and other assessments. The inscription decision will be made at the regular session of the World Heritage Committee.
The three local governments are conducting academic research on Hanyangdoseong, Bukhansanseong, and Tangchundaeseong and comparative studies with similar heritage sites domestically and internationally to achieve World Heritage inscription. They are also establishing an integrated protection and management system for systematic conservation management.
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