Mayor Kang Suhyun: "Doing Our Utmost to Complete World Heritage Listing Procedures for Yangju Hoam Temple Site"

International Academic Conference Celebrates Selection of Yangju Hoam Temple Site for World Heritage Tentative List
Experts Highlight Buddhist Heritage and Global Preservation Efforts
Residents and Scholars Discuss the Path Toward World Heritage Inscription

Yangju City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 29th that it held the "Yangju Hoam Temple Site World Heritage Tentative List Selection Commemorative International Academic Conference" at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry International Conference Hall (located in Jung-gu, Seoul) on the 28th.

Sang Soo Hyun, mayor of Yangju City, is delivering a greeting at the "International Academic Conference Commemorating the Selection of Hoheamsaji in Yangju for the Priority World Heritage List" held on the 28th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry International Conference Hall. Provided by Yangju City

This academic conference, held under the theme "Yangju Hoam Temple Site and East Asian Buddhist Heritage," was a great success, bringing together about 150 participants from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The event began with a keynote lecture by Song Inho, Professor Emeritus at the University of Seoul, titled "The Heritage Value of Yangju Hoam Temple Site and the Significance of World Heritage Listing." Lima Huja, Chair of the ICOMOS India Committee, gave a presentation on "World Heritage Listing and Conservation Status of Indian Buddhist Sites," while Gaiyanin Rai, Chair of the ICOMOS Nepal Committee, spoke on "Buddhist Heritage of Nepal: Conservation and Management of World Heritage Lumbini."

Hattaya Siripattanikun, Senior Specialist at the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, delivered a lecture on "The Preparatory Process for the World Heritage Tentative Evaluation of Thai Buddhist Heritage." Takeyuki Okubo, Professor at Ritsumeikan University, presented on "Disaster Risk Management Strategies and Key Considerations for World Heritage Protection."

Finally, Kang Hoseon, Professor at Sungshin Women's University, discussed "The World Heritage Value of Korean Buddhism and the Hoam Temple Site," and Han Jiman, Professor at Myongji University, presented on "The World Heritage Value of the Hoam Temple Site Through Comparative International Case Studies." Following the presentations, a lively general discussion was held, chaired by Choi Jaeheon, Chair of the ICOMOS Korea Committee.

This academic conference, in line with the global trend emphasizing research on the preservation and management of World Heritage, provided a guide for the future inscription of the Yangju Hoam Temple Site as a World Heritage Site by strengthening research on responses to climate disasters.

In addition, members of the "Yangju Hoam Temple Site Residents' Council" (Chair Jung Jiin), who are engaged in ongoing activities such as cultural property monitoring and environmental management of the Hoam Temple Site, joined with residents of Okjeong-dong to reflect on the meaning of "World Heritage that I Protect."

Yangju Mayor Kang Suhyun stated, "In order for the Yangju Hoam Temple Site to be inscribed as a World Heritage Site, it has reached a stage where exchanges and cooperation with ICOMOS committees of various countries are necessary," adding, "We will continue to do our utmost to carry out the procedures by forming networks with diverse groups of experts such as these."

Meanwhile, ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) is the official advisory body to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and is an expert non-governmental organization operated by national committees in each country.