Jogye Order: "Kumgangsan Is a Sacred Site of Korean Buddhism... Welcomes UNESCO Inscription"

UNESCO Joint Inscription of South and North Korean Heritage
Following the Bangudae Petroglyphs, North Korea's Kumgangsan Added
Jogye Order: "Kumgangsan is a Sacred Site of Korean Buddhism"
"Hoping for Improved Inter-Korean Relations"

The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism has expressed its welcome for the joint inscription of "Bangudae Petroglyphs" and "Kumgangsan"?representative cultural heritages of South and North Korea?on the UNESCO World Heritage list. On July 13 (local time), at its 47th session held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee confirmed Kumgangsan as a World Heritage site following the inscription of the Bangudae Petroglyphs.

Autumn scenery of Kumgangsan dyed red, filmed using a drone and broadcasted by North Korea's Korean Central TV on October 24, 2023. Photo by Yonhap News.

On July 13, the Jogye Order conveyed in a statement issued by its President, Monk Jinwoo, that, "At a time when the world is paying attention to the various traditional cultures carried by our people, it is all the more meaningful that the cultural heritages of both South and North Korea have been inscribed together as World Heritage."

Regarding Kumgangsan, Monk Jinwoo described it as "the sacred mountain of the Korean people and a holy site of Korean Buddhism." He explained that during the Goryeo Dynasty, pilgrims formed an unbroken line in hopes of seeing Bodhisattva Damugal, and that during the Japanese invasions of the Joseon Dynasty, Monk Samyeong gathered Buddhist monks there to raise the banner of national defense.

He further emphasized, "Numerous temples remaining throughout Kumgangsan still preserve important Buddhist cultural heritages that represent Korea's traditional culture," and noted that "these constitute a key element of the cultural landscape?a mixed heritage that embodies both cultural and natural values."

He also expressed hopes for improved inter-Korean relations. Monk Jinwoo stated, "In 2007, our order successfully restored Singyesa?one of the four major temples of Kumgangsan lost during the Korean War?through cooperation between South and North Korea," and added, "We hope that the inscription of Kumgangsan as a UNESCO World Heritage site will serve as a starting point for improving the strained relationship between the two Koreas."