(국영문 동시배포) 국가유산청, 부산에서 '제8차 한-아세안 문화유산 협의체 운영회의' 개최 (7.22.~7.23.)

Korea

Heritage

Service

NEWS

Division: International Cooperation Division,

Heritage Policy Bureau

Contact person: Kim Jongseung (042-481-4860),

Seo Jeongsam (042-481-4861)

/ Kim Deoksoon (063-230-9710)

Korea Heritage Service Held the 8th ASEAN-ROK Working Committee on Cultural Heritage Cooperation

in Busan (July 22-23)

• Around 50 participants, including representatives from the 11 ASEAN Member States,

review the Working Committee’s achievements and discuss the full-scale implementation of

the ASEAN-ROK Joint Cultural Heritage Cooperation Project (2026-2029)

The Korea Heritage Service (Administrator Huh Min), together with the ASEAN Secretariat and the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage (Acting Director Park Gyuri), held the 8th ASEAN-ROK Working Committee on Cultural Heritage Cooperation in Busan from July 22 to 23.

Held as a side event of the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the meeting brought together approximately 50 participants, including Administrator Huh Min, representatives of the diplomatic missions of the ASEAN Member States to the Republic of Korea, director- and division director-level representation from cultural heritage authorities of the 11 ASEAN Member States, and officials from relevant organizations. Participants reviewed the achievements of the Working Committee to date and discussed future strategies for Korea-ASEAN cooperation in the field of cultural heritage.

Since its establishment in 2022, the ASEAN-ROK Working Committee on Cultural Heritage Cooperation has served as a platform for sharing cooperation agendas and identifying joint initiatives between Korea and the ASEAN Member States across a broad range of cultural heritage fields. The 8th meeting reviewed the progress made thus far and explored future directions for cooperation in alignment with the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Vision and the ASEAN Strategic Plan for Cultural and the Arts.

ASEAN-ROK Joint Cultural Heritage Cooperation Project (ASEAN-Korea Creative Shared Heritage Initiative, 2026-2029): A project designed to strengthen ASEAN Identity and regional socio-cultural integration through research on ASEAN’s shared cultural heritage, public awareness initiatives, and capacity building. Supported by the ASEAN-ROK Cooperation Fund, the project includes cultural heritage research, capacity building for conservation professionals, publication of research outcomes, and the development of immersive digital heritage content.

On July 22, the first day of the meeting, the Korea Heritage Service-ASEAN Committee in Seoul Meeting was held at the Westin Josun Busan, Administrator Huh Min and the representatives of the diplomatic missions of the ASEAN Member States discussed the future direction of Korea’s cultural heritage cooperation with ASEAN and exchanged views on ways to further strengthen practical cooperation.

Administrator Huh Min remarked, “Cultural Heritage is a shared value that connects people across borders. I hope this Working Committee meeting will serve as a milestone in further strengthening mutual trust between Korea and ASEAN through cultural heritage and in advancing our forward-looking partnership for shared prosperity.”

Later that day, at BEXCO, the 8th ASEAN-ROK Working Committee on Cultural Heritage Cooperation featured presentations by the Korea Heritage Service on the current status of Korea-ASEAN cultural heritage cooperation and the joint cooperation project to be implemented through 2029. The ASEAN Secretariat also introduced ASEAN’s policy direction in the cultural heritage field, including the ASEAN Strategic Plan for Cultural and the Arts (2026-2035), as well as the current status of cooperation with Korea.

Following the meeting, participants visited side-event venues of the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, including the K-Heritage House, as well as the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea and the KF ASEAN Culture House. In particular, the visit to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery—one of the nine component sites of the Heritage of Busan Wartime Capital during the Korean War, which has been placed on Korea’s UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List—provided an opportunity to reflect on the historical solidarity and friendship between Korea and ASEAN, particularly the Philippines and Thailand.

On July 23, the second day of the meeting, the KF ASEAN Culture House hosted sessions introducing major international cultural heritage cooperation activities undertaken by individual ASEAN Member States and related initiatives by Korean institutions. Participants also discussed detailed implementation plans for the ASEAN-ROK Joint Cultural Heritage Cooperation Project and explored future directions for Korea-ASEAN cooperation in the cultural heritage sector.

Building on the outcomes of this meeting, the Korea Heritage Service plans to fully launch the joint cooperation project over the next three years while systematically developing a comprehensive Korea-ASEAN cultural heritage cooperation strategy. Moving beyond one-off assistance projects, the strategy will establish a practical and sustainable framework for two-way cooperation in a broad range of areas, including cultural heritage and the creative industries, the application of digital technologies, and climate change and disaster risk management.

The Korea Heritage Service as part of Proactive Administration within the cultural heritage field will continue to work closely with the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Member States, and partner organizations in Korea and abroad to further develop the ASEAN-ROK Working Committee on Cultural Heritage Cooperation into a practical platform for global cooperation.