[Arts & Culture] Journey to UNESCO: Preserving Korea's heritage for global recognition

전통을 넘어 세계유산으로… 한지 제작 문화와 남북 태권도의 가치

Korean traditional paper, Hanji, is one step closer to achieving UNESCO recognition after its recommendation for inscription on Thursday.
For more on this, we have our correspondent Cho Young-eun in the studio. Welcome, Young-eun.

Great to be here, Dami.

Young-eun, South Korea's traditional and cultural values are continuing to gain global recognition. Could you tell us more about that?

Right, Dami.
Ahead of hanji's potential UNESCO inscription next month, I visited Wonju earlier this week, where I had the opportunity to see how the traditional paper is made and meet those who have dedicated generations to preserving this craft.


This is where a sheet of Hanji, Korea's traditional paper, begins.
The traditional technique of hand-scooping the fibers from mulberry bark, known as "dak" in Korean, is considered the essence of craftsmanship.
Specialist artisans have been preserving hanji-making traditions here in Wonju, including the techniques and tools passed down through generations.

"It's now the fourth generation of our family carrying on this tradition, from my grandfather and father to me, and now my son-in-law and daughter. Many of the masters who have traditionally made Hanji are passing away, and now there are only a few people left in Korea who continue this craft."

Hanji is also called baekji, meaning "hundred-paper," reflecting the belief that a single sheet takes 99 touches by the artisan and one final touch by the user, and is durable enough to last up to a thousand years.


This hanji-making tradition has now been recommended for UNESCO inscription. If approved, it will become the nation's 24th element on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

UNESCO not only recognizes the traditional craftsmanship of hanji, but also the community practices and cultural knowledge surrounding its production.

"Preserving this cultural heritage should not be left solely to individual artisans. Local communities, governments and organizations like ours, which have been actively promoting cultural practices, must take greater interest and work together to pass it on. This should also lead to discussions on how Hanji can be used in modern ways and incorporated into everyday life."

The final decision will be made at the 21st session of the Intergovernmental Committee, scheduled to take place in Xiamen, China, from November 30th to December 5th.


That's a lot of precision and care to craft a single sheet of paper.
What makes Hanji-making particularly significant as an intangible cultural heritage?

Well, Dami, hanji is made using natural materials, including mulberry bark and plant-based alkaline solutions, through a uniquely Korean technique.
This traditional production method developed in areas where mulberry trees were common.
Hanji has played an important role in Korean history and society as a material for writing and printing, which contributed to the spread of knowledge, and it continues to serve a wide range of purposes such as in household goods and the preservation of cultural heritage.

"Korea's global brand value will be enhanced through our national heritage. In December, we will pursue the inscription of Hanji culture on UNESCO."


Artisans also work closely to promote Hanji culture through events, and these efforts have become an important part of strengthening local communities' identity and pride.

Now, moving past hanji, Taekwondo is also a topic of discussion for UNESCO inscription, right?
Efforts to jointly inscribe Taekwondo by the two Koreas have not materialized.
What's behind these developments?

First, UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage is designed to safeguard cultural practices that represent humanity's shared heritage, and an inscription by one country does not grant it exclusive rights.
When it comes to Taekwondo, the roots are shared, but the martial art has since diverged over the decades.
South Korea developed Taekwondo to be an international sport led by World Taekwondo, and is now an official Olympic sport.
Meanwhile, North Korea has more closely associated the martial art with the International Taekwondo Federation, placing greater emphasis on tradition and culture.

"Even if the joint inscription opportunity was missed, future recognition would still be meaningful in affirming Taekwondo’s value as world cultural heritage."

According to the Korea Heritage Service, the South Korean government will continue pursuing every possible effort to secure a separate or an extended inscription for Taekwondo, working closely to promote its unique value and history.

Thank you for the coverage, Young-eun.

Certainly. Thank you.

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2026-11-06, 20:00 (KST)