Seoul and Pyongyang Prepare Joint UNESCO Taekwondo Nomination by March
Updated (2 articles)
Seoul’s Cultural Committee Selects Taekwondo for Joint Heritage Bid The Seoul Cultural Heritage Committee identified taekwondo as its next candidate for a joint or expanded UNESCO inscription, aiming to showcase the martial art as a shared Korean legacy [1]. Officials from the Korea Heritage Service confirmed the selection follows North Korea’s independent 2024 submission [1]. The committee plans to draft the formal application within weeks, targeting a March submission deadline [1].
Joint Application to Be Submitted Early Next Year Both governments will collaborate on the nomination dossier, coordinating research, documentation, and promotional materials [1]. The joint effort reflects a broader diplomatic push for cultural cooperation despite political tensions [1]. Seoul intends to present the application to UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre before the end of March [1].
UNESCO Review Scheduled for Xiamen Session, Decision Expected December The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee’s 21st session will convene in Xiamen from Nov. 30 to Dec. 5, where the taekwondo bid will be examined [1]. A final decision on the inscription is anticipated during this meeting [1]. The outcome will determine whether taekwondo joins the Representative List as a trans‑Korean cultural element [1].
Potential Second Joint Korean Heritage Listing After Ssireum If approved, taekwondo would become the second jointly listed Korean heritage item, following the traditional wrestling sport ssireum’s 2018 inscription [1]. The joint listing would signal continued collaboration on UNESCO matters between the two Koreas [1]. Success could pave the way for future cooperative nominations in other cultural domains [1].
Current UNESCO Inventories Highlight North Korea’s Sixth Potential Entry North Korea presently holds five UNESCO items: Arirang, kimchi‑making, ssireum, Pyongyang Raengmyon, and traditional costume knowledge [1]. Adding taekwondo would raise its total to six [1]. South Korea already maintains 23 UNESCO entries and is pursuing additional nominations for hanji paper and ginseng culture [1].
Timeline
2018 – Ssireum becomes the first joint Korean cultural heritage listed by UNESCO, establishing a precedent for cross‑border cooperation on intangible heritage [1].
2024 – North Korea formally submits a bid to have taekwondo inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List, seeking its sixth World Heritage item [1].
Nov 30 – Dec 5, 2025 – UNESCO’s 21st intergovernmental committee convenes in Xiamen to review North Korea’s taekwondo nomination, with a final decision expected at the session [1].
Dec 10, 2025 – Seoul, the Korea Heritage Service and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism hold preliminary talks on the ultra‑high‑rise Sewoon District 4 redevelopment opposite Jongmyo Shrine; UNESCO has asked for a heritage impact assessment, which Seoul has not yet answered [2].
Jan 19, 2026 – Seoul’s Cultural Heritage Committee selects taekwondo as the next candidate for a joint UNESCO inscription and plans to submit the formal application by March, signaling a push for cross‑border cultural cooperation after North Korea’s earlier bid [1]. Quote: “A Korea Heritage Service official says the plan is to submit the formal application by March.” [1]